Garrett Whitlock update: Red Sox starter to undergo MRI, felt ‘stiffness’

TORONTO — Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock will undergo an MRI on Monday.

The 27-year-old righty was removed after just one inning Sunday vs. the Blue Jays due to right elbow tightness. Boston ended up winning 5-4 to sweep Toronto at Rogers Centre.

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Whitlock described feeling “stiffness” during the first inning. He wouldn’t say his level of concern.

“Right now we’re just going to wait to see when we get to Boston, see what the doctors have to say about it,” Whitlock said.

Whitlock said he has been “dealing with” being stiff. When asked if he had been dealing with it before his start or just during his start Sunday, he replied, “A little bit of both.”

Whitlock, who has gone 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA in 10 starts, spent 27 games on the 15-day injured list earlier this season due to right elbow ulnar neuritis.

He said this doesn’t feel the same as what he felt earlier this season.

“This doesn’t feel very nervy,” he said. “So it’s not really like that.”

Manager Alex Cora said he knew he needed to remove Whitlock when he saw him moving his wrist and elbow.

“He’s going to get an MRI tomorrow,” Cora said. “Kind of like the same feelings as before. So hopefully, it’s nothing bad.”

He also began the season on the IL as he recovered from a right hip arthroscopy.

The Red Sox already are down to just four starters on their active roster after Tanner Houck (facial fracture) joined Chris Sale (left shoulder inflammation) on the injured list.

The Red Sox demoted Corey Kluber to the pen in May but he’s not available to return to the starting rotation because he’s also on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Boston also likes how Nick Pivetta is pitching out of the bullpen and has resisted putting him back in the rotation. They might have to reconsider if Whitlock’s injury requires an IL stint.

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Boston has limited options down at Triple-A Worcester.

Brandon Walter is a candidate to be added to the active roster this coming week when James Paxton is on paternity leave. Paxton and his wife Katie are expecting their second child Monday. Paxton is expected to begin his paternity leave Tuesday. The Red Sox have Monday off. Paxton won’t pitch until sometime next weekend vs. the Athletics at Fenway.