The Red Sox activated Whitlock (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock has been on the injured list since July 4 with a bone bruise in his right elbow. He holds a 5.23 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 51.2 innings but looked sharp during his rehab outing, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings while striking out three batters with Triple-A Worcester. Whitlock is expected to join the Sox's bullpen as a multi-inning reliever.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is on track to return from the injured list Sunday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock pitched well in his rehab debut Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester, striking out three of the nine batters he faced over 2.1 scoreless frames. Out since early July due to a bone bruise in his right elbow, the 27-year-old is expected to operate as a multi-inning reliever down the stretch. He could happen into some wins and a save or two in that role.

Whitlock (elbow) struck out three and surrendered two hits while walking none in 2.1 scoreless innings in his rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Worcester. He also hit a batter with a pitch.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock pumped in 33 of his 46 pitches for strikes while allowing only three of the nine batters he faced to reach base, with both of the hits he allowed being of the soft-contact variety. The strong rehab outing was exactly what the Red Sox wanted to see from Whitlock, who was making his first appearance since July 2 after missing the past five weeks with a bone bruise in his right elbow. Before being placed on the 15-day injured list, Whitlock had served as a starter for the Red Sox, but he'll be rejoining the club as a multi-inning reliever. Assuming he checks out fine after being evaluated following Wednesday's rehab appearance, Whitlock will likely be activated from the IL ahead of Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Whitlock (elbow) is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list Sunday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Before being activated, Whitlock will make just one three-inning rehab appearance, which will come Wednesday at Triple-A Worcester. Cora reiterated Monday that Whitlock will be returning to the Red Sox in a relief role, though the organization isn't necessarily pulling the plug on moving the right-hander back to the rotation in 2024. While the move to the bullpen likely lessens his overall fantasy appeal so long as closer Kenley Jansen is available for save situations, Whitlock could still have some value as a ratio stabilizer in a multi-inning relief role. Over 112.2 career innings as a reliever between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Whitlock compiled a 2.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 22.9 K-BB%.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed Sunday that Whitlock (elbow) should begin a minor-league rehab assignment during the upcoming week, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock made it through his live batting practice session Saturday no worse for the wear, so he'll advance to the final phase of his recovery program from the bone bruise in his right elbow. Cora reiterated Sunday that his plan is to deploy Whitlock as a multi-inning reliever once he returns from the 15-day injured list, likely around the middle of August.

Whitlock (elbow) threw live batting practice Saturday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was previously reported the 27-year-old could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, but the Red Sox instead opted for live batting practice before reevaluating. If Whitlock checks out fine Sunday, he could begin a rehab stint within the next week.

Whitlock (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock is on about the same trajectory as Tanner Houck (face), who is scheduled to begin a rehab stint with Worcester on Saturday. One of the two could return to the Red Sox in more of a piggyback role rather than a locked-in rotation spot, though there's nothing official yet on that front. Whitlock has been limited to 51.2 major-league innings (10 starts) this season because of elbow trouble.

Whitlock (elbow) will throw an up-and-down bullpen session Tuesday, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Both Whitlock and Tanner Houck (face) will throw bullpens Tuesday ahead of a rehab assignment. Each hurler has experience in the rotation and bullpen, and it's unclear which role the two pitchers will occupy going forward. This is the second time in 2023 that Whitlock has been shelved with elbow woes.

The Red Sox will discuss Wednesday which role Whitlock (elbow) fills upon his return, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Alex Cora said he would prefer to have Whitlock back "as soon as possible," which would point to a relief role. However, the skipper also pointed out that the team is in need of rotation help. The decision could boil down to what, if any, kind of pitching help the Red Sox acquired at the trade deadline. Whitlock has been out since early July with a bone bruise in his right elbow.

Whitlock (elbow) played catch Monday, Mike Monaco of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Whitlock reportedly felt "great" after throwing for the first time since he landed on the injured list July 4. He still has a long way to go in his rehab process, but it's a good sign to see him trending upward. Whitlock put up a 5.23 ERA and 1.32 WHIP through 51.2 frames before suffering a bone bruise in his right elbow.