The Red Sox got Garrett Whitlock back on Saturday, but the move that made room for him sent a rookie back to Worcester.
Boston activated Whitlock for its doubleheader against the Yankees, a timely boost after he had last pitched on Aug. 9.
With the Red Sox having dropped the first game of the four-game set, getting their most reliable stopper back mattered. But the roster shuffle came at Wyatt Olds’ expense, as the club optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Worcester around 10 a.m.
ET. Raymond Burgos also returned to the majors as the 27th man for the doubleheader.
Olds leaves after a sharp first taste of the majors. In six big league innings, he struck out eight and didn’t allow a run.
His Triple-A numbers were uneven for most of the season - a 5.33 ERA in 50 2/3 innings - but the swing-and-miss stuff was there, with 74 strikeouts at that level. That gives him a real chance to grow into a useful major league reliever if his command tightens up.
He even looked like he was on the verge of a memorable first save Tuesday against the Marlins, when he leaned on nasty sliders in extra innings. The ending got away from him only because Connor Wong couldn’t corral the strikeout that should have finished the game. Instead, Olds walked away with his first career win after Jarren Duran blasted a grand slam in the top of the 11th.
At 27, Olds still has all of his minor-league options left, which means the Red Sox can move him between Boston and Worcester freely for the next two years after this season. Keeping him around would only require a 40-man roster spot, and he looks well on his way to making that worthwhile.
There was also some room for debate in the bullpen decision. Some might have preferred Boston to send down Burgos rather than Greg Weissert, whose big league struggles this year are already on the record.
But with the roster expanding to 28 players instead of 26 on Tuesday, both pitchers could be back soon enough. For the doubleheader, the Red Sox simply wanted fresh arms, especially with Olds having thrown an inning on Friday night.
The bigger picture is clear: Olds’ run with the Red Sox this season is probably not over. Even so, it’s a hard goodbye for a rookie to pack up and head out when the pennant race is still very much alive.
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Red Sox Try Drastic Lineup Jolt After Embarrassing Yankees Shutouts
After back-to-back shutout losses, the Red Sox are going with a noticeably different look for the opener of their doubleheader against the Yankees. Jahmai Jones is at the top of the order as the designated hitter, while Jarren Duran is out of the starting lineup, and Boston is trying to shake loose an offense that has gone flat at the wrong time.
Jake Bennett is scheduled to start on the mound, giving the Red Sox a chance to reset both sides of the game in one afternoon. Lineup changes can only do so much, but after consecutive blankings, Boston clearly felt it needed something different against a division rival that has already made the air feel heavier in this series. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Could Get A Needed Lineup Boost At Perfect Time
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The Red Sox have not made any official announcement yet, but the possibility of adding Anthony and Story to the mix gives the trip to New York a different feel. For a team trying to shake off a quiet stretch at the plate, getting healthier in the middle of a division series could be exactly the kind of boost it needs. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Just Got A Bullpen Boost For A Huge Yankees Twinbill
A bullpen that has been leaning on arms heavily got a timely lift before a crucial stretch against the Yankees, as the Red Sox reinstated Garrett Whitlock from the 15-day injured list and made him available for the doubleheader. Whitlock had been out with right elbow inflammation, but he recently got through live batting practice without any issues, a good sign for a staff that can use every reliable late-inning option it can find.
Boston also brought up Raymond Burgos to complete the roster for the twinbill, adding another arm for a day that can strain even a deep bullpen. Whitlocks return gives the Red Sox a more familiar high-leverage presence as they navigate two games in one day, and his availability comes at exactly the right time with the Yankees on the other side. [Read more 🡒]