Whitlock can officially start to call himself a member of rotation

BOSTON — On Tuesday afternoon, roughly 18 hours removed from the conclusion of a solid five-inning, two-run start against the Astros, Garrett Whitlock diligently sprinted up and down the stairs of Fenway Park’s grandstand. That effort represented the start of his five-day betweenstarts routine — something with which the righthander will become increasingly familiar.

Manager Alex Cora suggested that Monday’s outing against the Astros — one in which Whitlock worked into the sixth inning — “is going to be the norm” for Whitlock moving forward.

“We feel very confident where we’re at right now with him,” said Cora.

Whitlock has made five starts, logging 20 innings with a 3.15 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and 8 walks in the role. Cora said he can now be treated like a starter.

With that plan, it’s now clear: Whitlock’s role is not a matter of conversation for the time being. Tanner Houck will remain in the bullpen and pitch in a multi-innings role, as Cora dismissed the idea of having Houck in a traditional closer’s role.

“[Houck] can do what Garrett did last year,” said Cora. “We feel comfortable with [Whitlock] in this role and we have four other starters. Tanner can do the job he did last year [as a multi-innings reliever] in September.” Wachagettingclose: Wacha (left intercostal soreness) felt fine the day after throwing two simulated innings against teammates. He’ll throwashortbullpensession Wednesday, after which the Redsoxwilldecidewhether he can be activated from the 15-day injured list to start against the Mariners in a four-game weekend series.