Garrett Whitlock went from working two jobs to earning his first start with the Red Sox
Two years ago, Garrett Whitlock was working two jobs trying to get through the COVID season. Now Whitlock is about to make his first start with the Red Sox against the Rays.
Two weeks ago, Whitlock and the Red Sox announced a contract extension that will keep the righty in Boston potentially through 2028. The 25-year-old agreed to a four-year, $18.75 million extension that can max out to $44.5 million.
“It’s still so surreal,” Whitlock said. “It’s crazy. Me and Jordan (Whitlock’s wife) were talking this morning. Two years ago I was working two jobs trying to survive the COVID season. Now to just be sitting here doing this, it’s all very surreal.”
“It’s an honor,” Whitlock said at his contract extension press conference. “I told both Mr. Chaim and AC last year when they took me in the Rule 5 Draft, it was an honor then just the fact that they took a chance on me. So I just want to work my tail off and keep getting better.”
Whitlock has been pitching lights out to begin the 2022 season. The right-handed hurler is 1-0 with a 0.93 ERA, 11 strike outs , two walks, in four games over 9 2/3 innings. Those eye-popping stats have earned him his first career start for the Red Sox.
Whitlock is taking the bump in place of Tanner Houck. The Red Sox shuffled their rotation around to accommodate Houck.
He is not vaccinated for COVID-19 and he’ll miss his start in Toronto next week.
“I’m sure he (Whitlock) is excited,” said interim Red Sox manager Will Venable. “He’s been in a lot of situations that challenge a young pitcher. He’s handled them all and I think he’ll be normal Garrett out there tomorrow."
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