Garrett Whitlock Activated by Red Sox Ahead of Doubleheader; Olds Optioned

Garrett Whitlock is back in the Red Sox bullpen. Boston activated the right-hander and optioned Olds to the minors ahead of a doubleheader, per Ian Browne — completing a return that had been building for several days after Whitlock faced live hitters earlier in the week as part of his rehab from elbow inflammation.

To clear the roster spot, Boston optioned Olds following what the source describes as a strong MLB debut — a brief but notable cameo that earned him a cup of coffee and, apparently, a return ticket to Triple-A.

The Whitlock piece

Whitlock had been sidelined roughly three weeks with elbow inflammation before the Red Sox began ramping him up. The activation lands right on the timeline that had been floated — a return in time for this stretch of games. A doubleheader is about as immediate a test as a bullpen arm can get.

What's still moving

Whitlock's return is one piece of a broader roster shuffle in Boston. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story have reportedly been finishing rehab in Worcester and are expected to be activated this weekend in New York, per earlier reporting by Ian Browne. Those moves remain unconfirmed as of this update.

Adley Rutschman's elbow soreness, which kept him out of consecutive games earlier this week, is also worth monitoring as the Red Sox navigate this stretch.