Garrett Whitlock holds a baseball in his right hand and he gets ready to deliver a pitch.

Garrett Whitlock pitched 72 innings with a 2.25 ERA for the Red Sox in 2025. Alex Slitz / Getty Images

By The Athletic Staff

Nov. 22, 2025Updated 4:38 pm EST

Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock announced via Instagram on Saturday that he will play for Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.

Whitlock, 29, joins a star-studded roster including Paul Skenes, Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge as the U.S. seeks to end Japan’s recent dominance in the event. Next year’s WBC will be played in March.

Whitlock gives Team USA a lockdown option in the bullpen. In 2025, as the top setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman, Whitlock posted a 2.25 ERA in 62 appearances as the Red Sox returned to the postseason.

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Nov 22, 2025

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