Garrett Whitlock Activated by Red Sox Ahead of Yankees Doubleheader

Garrett Whitlock is back. The Red Sox activated the right-hander ahead of a doubleheader against the Yankees, per Ian Browne of MLB.com — the culmination of a rehab arc that had him facing live hitters earlier in the week with activation for the New York series as the stated target.

Whitlock had been sidelined with elbow inflammation for roughly three weeks before the club cleared him to return. The timing puts him in the bullpen for one of the more consequential series on Boston's schedule.

What's still developing

Whitlock's activation is one piece of a broader roster shuffle in Boston. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story were reportedly finishing rehab assignments in Worcester and were expected to be activated this weekend in New York as well, per earlier reporting. Whether those moves materialize alongside Whitlock's return — and what corresponding roster decisions follow — remains to be seen.

Adley Rutschman had also been sitting out with elbow soreness, and the Red Sox added catcher Tomás Nido on a minor league deal earlier in the week as depth behind him. The full shape of Boston's active roster heading into this series is still coming into focus.