MLB rumors: Clayton Kershaw injury, Mets prospects and trades, Red Sox worries

Jun 27, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB rumors: Boston Red Sox should be worried about Garrett Whitlock

After coming back off the injured list following an elbow injury, things have not gone well for Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock.

Since being activated on May 27, the 27-year-old right-hander has allowed 41 hits in 34.2 innings of work, with his pitching slash line rising to a 5.15 ERA/4.28 FIP/1.322 WHIP. Those numbers include back-to-back disasters, one of which was Tuesday night’s outing at Fenway Park against the Miami Marlins where he surrendered 11 hits and six runs (including two home runs) in 4.2 innings of work.

This month alone, opponents are hitting .311 against Whitlock.

Granted, Whitlock was allowing hits and runs before going on the injured list (19 hits and 11 runs in 16.0 innings covering three starts in April), but there doesn’t seem to be any improvement as the calendar turns to July, a problem for the Red Sox rotation as the team enters Wednesday at 40-40 on the season and 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.

With Chris Sale and Tanner Houck on the injured list, depth in the rotation for the Red Sox is already thin. A struggling Whitlock isn’t making things any easier inside Fenway Park.

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