Whitlock in line to start Tuesday
DETROIT — Garett Whitlock was in the clubhouse Saturday ahead of the Red Sox’ 14-5 win over the Tigers, and that’s a good omen.
Whitlock (hip) said he will start Tuesday’s game against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla., after completing his final rehab assignment at Double A Portland.
“It felt good,” Whitlock said of his Thursday outing where he went six innings, struck out eight, and allowed just a run. “It felt like I was back to being healthy, back to being my regular self. I just went out there and attacked hitters, taking it one inning at a time — how I usually do it.”
Of course, there’s excitement surrounding Whitlock’s return. But for him? It’s about production, too.
“It’s good to be back, but I’m ready to really contribute and help the team out, so I’ll feel even better,” Whitlock said.
Whitlock got his first opportunity to be a starter in the big leagues last April, posting a 4.15 ERA in nine starts. Then in June, Whitlock went on the injured list with the hip injury and ultimately returned as a reliever.
The righthander spent much of his career in the minors as a starter, so he does have experience. Yet starting against big league hitters requires a different level of game-planning, which is something Whitlock learned last year.
“[As a starter] there’s not the sprint of three outs and get out of it,” manager Alex Cora said. “People make adjustments. You have game plans against relievers, but it’s a lot harder to execute. It’s only probably three or four hitters [relievers face]. But as a unit against [starters], you try to take away certain things, try to grind out at-bats to get that pitch [count] up. And I think that’s something Garrett learned last year.”
With Whitlock set to join the mix, the Sox’ ideal rotation is beginning to take shape.
James Paxton (hamstring) will start for Triple A Worcester Sunday, but still might need a few more rehab games. Brayan Bello (elbow) is set to start Tuesday for Worcester and could join the big league rotation following the outing, though Cora would not commit to it.
“Let him pitch Tuesday and we’ll see how it goes and how we feel about it,” said Cora, adding the goal for Bello is six innings.
Mills slow to recover
Reliever Wyatt Mills’s progression has been slow after the Sox placed him on the injured list prior to the start of the season with elbow inflammation.
“Right now, he’s a little bit behind,” Cora said. “He hasn’t started his throwing program yet, and is not responding the way we thought in the beginning.”
The Sox acquired the righthander from the Royals over the winter in a trade for minor league pitcher Jacob Wallace.
Duvall delivers again
Adam Duvall continued to show off his light-tower power with a two-run homer in the third inning.
His 14 RBI are the most by a player in their first seven games with the organization. He added a pair of doubles Saturday, and his 10 extra-base hits are the most through seven game with the Sox. (Jose Offerman had nine in 1999.)
“I feel like my job is to slug and drive runners in,” Duvall said. “So, it feels good to come in and do your job.”
Meadows steps away
Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows was a late scratch and placed on the injured list in order to focus on his mental health.
“The Tigers fully support Austin’s decision to step away from the team and prioritize his mental health,” president of baseball operations Scott Harris said in a statement. “As an organization, we have taken many steps to provide and destigmatize mental health resources, and we will do more to help our players tackle mental and physical challenges they face on a daily basis.”