Boston Red Sox Place Starting Pitcher on Injured List With Concerning Elbow Issue
The Boston Red Sox have been dealt another blow in the early going of the season, this time placing starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock on the injured list with elbow neuritis.
His injury comes in addition to losing center fielder Adam Duvall, shortstop Yu Chang and reliever Joely Rodriguez. The team is also out Trevor Story until at least the all-star break.
While elbow neuritis isn't necessarily concerning, we should remember that Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs was recently diagnosed with this before it was ultimately decided that he needed Tommy John surgery.
Jen McCafrrey of the 'The Athletic' says that "neuritis is irritation of and inflammation of the nerve on the inside portion of the elbow (the ulnar nerve) and can lead to elbow pain, and numbness, tingling."
The Red Sox starting rotation is already a major question mark given the age concern of Corey Kluber, the performance-related concern of Chris Sale, and the health concerns of Sale, Kluber and Whitlock himself, who missed the end of last season and the start of this year with a hip issue.
Whitlcok is making the full-time move to the rotation this year after spending all of 2021 in the bullpen and 2022 in a hybrid role. This season, he is 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 16 innings.
For his career, he's 13-8 with a 3.06 ERA. His work in the bullpen was a major factor in the Red Sox advancing to the American League Championship Series in 2021.
The Red Sox have recalled Brayan Bello to take his place.
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