Not coincidentally, that’s when Whitlock was at his best. He appeared in 46 games and had a 1.96 earned run average for a team that won 92 games, then advanced to the American League Championship Series.
Whitlock appeared in only 57 games over the next three seasons, spending 292 days on the injured list because of surgery on his right hip, an internal brace procedure on his right elbow, and issues with his left oblique.
Whitlock was on the Opening Day roster last season, but appeared in only four games before going back on the injured list.
The injuries were accompanied by a never-ending debate about whether Whitlock should be a starter or a reliever. He ended that discussion a year ago, going to manager Alex Cora and saying he should pitch in the bullpen.
“It was right around this time last year. I was done playing around,” Whitlock said. “I think he loved my confidence.”
Said Cora: “That was the first time in three years that he was convicted, [saying] ‘This is the role I want.’ Before it was whatever we asked him to do.”
Whitlock relies on his heavy sinker supplemented by his slider and changeup. The return to good health has his sinker averaging a career best 95.9 miles per hour.
“Early on I had some bumps, but that’s to be expected when you didn’t throw much the year before,” Whitlock said. “I had to give myself a little grace.
“It’s just getting reps; that’s the biggest thing. I needed to pitch. I had to get more consistency with my command.”
The Sox started the season using Whitlock for two innings as a bridge to closer Aroldis Chapman. That was abandoned in June, and most of his outings since have been for one inning.
“It wasn’t working; he wasn’t throwing strikes,” Cora said. “Made an adjustment and he started pitching in the strike zone with the fastball. And here we are.”
Chapman also has had an influence, speaking to Whitlock about the importance of a reliever developing a daily routine to keep his body prepared for the rigors of the job.
“I was never good at that,” Whitlock said. “So I watched him. He does the exact same thing pretty much every single day.”
Chapman outweighs Whitlock by 20 pounds and is built like an outside linebacker, so they’re not doing the same workouts. But Whitlock has found a daily schedule that works for him.
“I feel like I’m in a good groove,” Whitlock said. “Talking to Chappy was a big help.”
The results reflect that. Whitlock has a 2.39 ERA over a career-high 58 games and has allowed only two home runs over 67⅔ innings. His 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings also are a career best, and opposing hitters have a .562 OPS.
Whitlock is the only player left on the roster who appeared in the ’21 postseason. That experience will serve him well if the Sox return, as will everything he has been through over the years since.
“This has been a fun season,” Whitlock said. “We need to keep it going.”