Garrett Whitlock Faces Hitters, Could Be Activated for Yankees Series

Garrett Whitlock faced live hitters as part of his rehab process, and the Red Sox are targeting the upcoming Yankees series for a potential activation, per Perla Paredes at MLB.com.

The timing matters. As noted earlier this week, both Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman have been absent from the Boston bullpen, forcing the club to reshuffle its relief corps. Getting Whitlock back — even if the activation remains unconfirmed and the timetable is still contingent — would represent a meaningful step toward restoring some depth behind a rotation already leaning heavily on Sonny Gray while Garrett Crochet remains sidelined.

What we don't know yet

No activation has been announced. The Yankees series is the target window per the report, but whether Whitlock clears all remaining hurdles before then is still an open question. His workload and role upon return are also unspecified in the material.

Boston's injury picture has been crowded enough lately that any bullpen reinforcement carries operational weight. Whether Whitlock is the first piece back or one of several will become clearer as the week develops.