Red Sox Activate Reliever From IL
For one of the first times all season, the Boston Red Sox will get an injured player back after the minimum time spent on the injured list.
Right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock, who was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to May 24 due to a knee injury, has worked quickly through his rehab and will be back after just the 15 days.
Whitlock was activated Tuesday afternoon and will rejoin the team in Tampa Bay for game two of a three game slate against the first place Rays. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox optioned utility infielder Anthony Seigler back to Triple-A after he was brought up to replace the injured Nick Sogard a week ago.
The #RedSox today reinstated RHP Garrett Whitlock from the 15-Day Injured List. To make room, Boston optioned INF Anthony Seigler to Triple-A Worcester.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) June 9, 2026
Everything went according to plan for the veteran reliever's rehab, as he pitched one inning in a rehab game on Saturday for the Worcester Red Sox. Feeling good after the outing, manager Chad Tracy revealed that they expected to get him back at some point during this road trip.
The injury occurred when Whitlock hyperextended his knee on a rain-soaked Fenway mound. While it originally popped up as minor soreness, he was eventually shut down when the pain persisted after a cortisone shot.
Whitlock's speedy recovery is refreshing for a Red Sox club that has seen multiple miscalculated timelines for injuries. Most notably, both Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony were originally expected to miss just the minimum number of games after hitting the IL before suffering setbacks that prolonged their absence.
Crochet, now on the 60-day IL, has already been out 45 days and is not eligible to return until June 25 at the earliest, while Anthony has missed 36 days and has yet to resume swinging a bat.
After Monday's starter Connelly Early managed just 4.2 innings, the Red Sox taxed their bullpen with the use of Tyron Guerrero for 1.1 innings, Greg Weissert for 0.1, Danny Coulombe for 1.0, and Alec Gamboa for 0.2.
With Whitlock back in the picture, Boston will be able to get back to their strong late-inning progression of Justin Slaten in the 7th, Whitlock in the 8th, and Aroldis Chapman in the 9th when they manage to build a lead. Both Slaten and Whitlock have had shaky performances this year, but their early season success showcased how dominant this back end of the bullpen can be when healthy.
The Red Sox are 27-37 on the season and in last place in the AL East at 11.5 games back.
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This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 1:51 PM.