Red Sox Release Several Key Injury Updates

Tracy Gives Encouraging Update on Whitlock

Tracy also provided an update on Boston’s important duo of injured relievers in Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten. Both right-handers are currently on the injured list with elbow inflammation that accumulated over a taxing July and August stretch.

Whitlock was placed on the 15-day IL retroactive to August 10 and is eligible to come back as soon as tomorrow. According to Tracy, the 30-year-old setup man is progressing nicely and traveled with the team to Miami. The plan is for him to throw a live BP on the field on Wednesday before they decide on activating him.

Whitlock, who owns a 2.05 season ERA as Boston’s high-leverage bridge to closer Aroldis Chapman, most recently threw a bullpen at Fenway Park on Sunday and is approaching the final few steps to get back on the field. As long as all goes well Wednesday, he also seems likely to join the club for the high-stakes series in New York this upcoming weekend.

Slaten, who was just three days behind Whitlock in joining the injured list, remains a few steps behind his teammate. Tracy explained that the 28-year-old righty is “continuing to ramp up” but is just up to throwing at 90 feet in his progression. The Red Sox’s skipper added that Garrett Crochet is also at 90 feet but still increasing intensity throwing back in Boston.

The next significant update is likely to come on infielder Curtis Mead, who saw a specialist for a scheduled follow-up scan on his fractured left wrist on Monday. Now four weeks out from surgery, the appointment should give the Red Sox a better idea of how the arm is healing and whether a return this season remains in scope.