Breaking: Alex Cora Shares Encouraging Injury Update on Garrett Whitlock for Red Sox Fans

Around this time last year, Garrett Whitlock was preparing to play a key role in the Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation.

He got off to a strong start, recording a 1.96 ERA over 18.1 innings. However, after his fourth start on April 16, Whitlock and the Red Sox realized something was wrong. Scans later revealed UCL damage in his throwing arm, and on May 30, he underwent the internal brace procedure—his second UCL repair surgery.

Now 28, Whitlock is still recovering and has yet to appear in a spring training game. Despite this, Red Sox manager Alex Cora is “100 percent” confident that he will be ready for Opening Day, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com.

Cora’s assurance is encouraging, especially considering Whitlock has yet to see game action and is just nine months removed from surgery. The internal brace procedure is known for a shorter recovery time compared to Tommy John surgery. Lucas Giolito, who underwent the same procedure a few months before Whitlock, is also expected to be ready by March 27.

This time last year, Garrett Whitlock was gearing up to be a critical piece of the Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation.

His season started strong after he posted a 1.96 ERA in 18.1 innings. But after his fourth start on April 16, Whitlock and the Red Sox realized something was wrong, and scans showed UCL damage in the righty’s throwing arm. On May 30, Whitlock underwent the internal brace procedure, his second UCL repair surgery in his career.

The 28-year-old is still recovering from the surgery and hasn’t yet appeared in a spring training game. Still, Red Sox manager Alex Cora is “100 percent” certain that Whitlock will be ready for Opening Day, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com.

Cora’s confidence in his pitcher’s status is reassuring — his Opening Day update comes before Whitlock has seen game action and just nine months after the internal brace procedure, which is advertised to have a shorter recovery period than Tommy John surgery. Lucas Giolito also underwent the internal brace procedure a few months before Whitlock last year, and Boston expects both pitchers to be ready for action by March 27.

Alex Cora is ‘100 percent’ certain Garrett Whitlock will be ready for game action by Red Sox Opening Day

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During the early stages of Whitlock’s recovery, the Red Sox implemented a week-on, week-off approach to keep him progressing.

 As Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic described, this involved alternating between intense throwing weeks and recovery periods. The strategy appears to have paid off, as Whitlock is now on track for game action just nine months after his UCL repair. Boston has since moved him off that structured schedule, and he is now fully cleared for the remainder of spring training.

For the upcoming season, Whitlock is set to transition to the bullpen, likely in a multi-inning relief role. While he has been considered for the closer position, he faces strong competition from Liam Hendriks, Aroldis Chapman, Luis Guerrero, and Justin Slaten.

Injuries have been a recurring issue for Whitlock in past seasons, but if he can stay healthy, he is poised to become a key asset in Boston’s bullpen. Manager Alex Cora is already counting on him for a breakout season.