Why This Talented Pitcher Has ‘Hardest Job’ In Red Sox Bullpen

Garrett Whitlock might be the greatest X-Factor on the roster for the Boston Red Sox in 2025 as he returns to the bullpen.

His career numbers clearly favor his work as a reliever, especially his debut season with Boston in 2021 when he worked as the ultimate weapon and finished the 2021 American League Wild Card game against the New York Yankees.

Whitlock joins a group of leverage arms in closer Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten. The Red Sox will count on Whitlock to get crucial outs but will also have extended, multi-inning outings from him to reset the group for Boston.

Given the diversity of that role, NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon believes Whitlock’s role on the roster is unlike any other for the Red Sox.

“He’s going to have to be another major key, especially in the beginning part of the season when your starters aren’t necessarily going as long as the end of the season,” Papelbon told NESN.com. “To me, the bullpen fits him better. He can just go out and use the best two pitches he has that day and not worry about anything else.”

Papelbon added: “I also think that Garrett Whitlock has the hardest job on the team. He may go seven or eight days without pitching because the starting pitching has been great and the bullpen has been great. He has to stay ready. He could be pitching a lot. He’s got the most unknown role is what I mean. He’s probably going to go out most days and not know when he’s going to pitch.”

Whitlock posted a 1.96 ERA in his only full season of relief in 2021. That’s the production the Red Sox hope he can replicate, or at least build from, in 2025 to bring Boston back to the playoffs for the first time since that season.