Injuries & Moves: Whitlock out for remainder of '24
LATEST NEWS
May 25: RHP Garrett Whitlock expecting internal bracing procedure
Though Whitlock's appointment to have his damaged right UCL examined by Dr. Jeff Dugas isn't until Wednesday, the righty already knows he won't pitch again this season. With the damage to the UCL that was found in the MRI conducted by the Red Sox, Whitlock knows he will need surgery. In his conversations with Dugas, Whitlock is expecting to undergo an internal bracing procedure, which is considered a repair. Tommy John surgery, which Whitlock underwent five years ago, is a reconstruction of the ligament and requires more rigorous rehab and a longer recovery than the bracing procedure.
Whitlock expects to make a significant contribution to the '25 Red Sox.
May 25: RHP Bryan Mata having right lat injury checked out
Mata, Boston's No. 27 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, continues to have health issues. During the third appearance of his Minor League rehab assignment on Thursday, Mata experienced soreness in his right lat area. He will be examined at Fenway Park by Boston's medical staff this weekend. Mata, who has yet to appear in the Major Leagues, is out of options. Mata has been repeatedly snakebitten by injuries in his quest to be make his big league debut.
"It's been really tough just dealing with all of these weird injuries that have been happening to me," said Mata. "All I can control is working hard like I have been. It's definitely tough."
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Bryan Mata (right lat)
Expected return: TBD
Mata made the third appearance of his Minor League rehab on May 23, moving up to Double-A Portland. But during his three-inning stint, he felt soreness in his right lat and will be examined by Boston's medical staff on May 25. Mata, Boston's No. 27 prospect, is out of options, meaning he needs to be placed on the Major League roster once he is healthy to avoid being designated for assignment. Mata's rehab assignment started on May 13 and can be no longer than 30 days. However, now that he is hurt, the clock will likely be stopped and will re-start once he can resume pitching. (Last updated: May 25)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (damaged UCL in right elbow)
Expected return: 2025
Manager Alex Cora announced on May 20 that the righty has UCL damage and could need surgery. Whitlock will be evaluated by Dr. Jeffrey Dugas in Birmingham, Ala., on May 29. At that point, a decision will be made which kind of surgery Whitlock will undergo. The righty is hoping for an internal bracing procedure instead of Tommy John surgery. Dugas is the same doctor who performed Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito's UCL surgery on March 12 and Whitlock's Tommy John surgery in 2019. (Last updated: May 25)
RHP Isaiah Campbell (right shoulder impingement)
Expected return: June
The reliever started a Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on May 22 and struck out three of the four batters he faced, throwing 20 pitches. Campbell was slated to throw another inning for the WooSox on May 25. Campbell has been on the injured list since April 12, so he will need at least a few outings before he is activated. (Last updated: May 24)
DH Masataka Yoshida (left thumb strain)
Expected return: Some point in June at earliest
Yoshida is feeling better, but still hasn't resumed baseball activities. The left-handed hitter has been on the injured list since April 29. (Last updated: May 24)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
1B Triston Casas (torn cartilage in left rib cage)
Expected return: No earlier than June 21
Casas, who suffered torn cartilage in his left rib cage when he fouled off a 3-1 pitch on April 20, has made significant progress. The left-handed hitter took grounders for the first time prior to the game on May 24. He was recently cleared to lift weights and has also done some running and throwing. The key milestone will be when he is cleared to swing the bat. Casas was moved to the 60-day IL on April 27 and will first be eligible to play on June 21. (Last updated: May 24)
RHP Liam Hendriks (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: Late July/early August
After signing with the Red Sox in February, Hendriks said his goal of coming back from Tommy John surgery would be right around the July 30 Trade Deadline. Hendriks has been playing catch on a daily basis. In Hendriks, who is also signed for next season, Boston will get a reliever who has been dominant in the past. It will be interesting to see how he is utilized in a bullpen that also includes Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, though both of those pitchers have expiring contracts at the end of the season. (Last updated: May 2)
SS Trevor Story (dislocated left shoulder)
Expected return: 2025
Story underwent surgery on April 12. According to a statement from the Red Sox, Story "underwent a successful arthroscopic repair of the posterior labrum, with an open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture of the glenoid rim. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache."
Story won't play again until next season. Story dislocated his shoulder diving for a ball on April 5 in Anaheim. He was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL on April 19. (Last updated: April 19)
LHP Chris Murphy (left UCL)
Expected Return: 2025
Murphy, who came up as a starter before being converted into a multi-inning reliever last season, underwent successful reconstruction of the left ulnar collateral ligament (elbow). Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery at Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Surgery in Arlington. (Last updated: April 10)
RHP Lucas Giolito (right UCL surgery)
Expected Return: 2025
Giolito was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 24. He underwent surgery to repair his right elbow ulnar collateral ligament on March 12 after two Grapefruit League starts (4 1/3 innings). (Last updated: March 24)