Whitlock rejoins 'pen before twin bill; Olds optioned after strong debut

NEW YORK -- Prior to Saturday’s day-night doubleheader against the Yankees, the Red Sox added back a major arm to the bullpen by activating Garrett Whitlock (right elbow inflammation) from the 15-day injured list.

Fortunately, Whitlock’s stint on the IL was just 19 days.

“Yeah, a high-level back-end arm,” said interim manager Chad Tracy. “One of the premier setup men in the game, so having him healthy and back as we approach September here is really important for us.”

In 45 appearances this season, Whitlock has a 2.05 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP.

To make room for the right-hander on the roster, the Sox optioned righty Wyatt Olds back to Triple-A Worcester after a strong first stint in the Major Leagues.

The 27-year-old Olds pitched in six games covering six innings and allowed four hits and three unearned runs, walking three and striking out eight.

“I thought he was awesome,” Tracy said of Olds. “I told you guys I know him quite well from a handful of years down there [at Triple-A], and we used him in a variety of roles. He finished a couple games at Fenway in the ninth inning when we were winning.

“He pitched in a one-run game last night here and went through the middle of their order, two of them lefties, so like I told him, ‘What a great showing for your first trip up to the big leagues and all the different spots you got put in’. I thought he was really, really good. So now we can give him a few days' rest because we used him pretty good over the last five days, and then said, ‘Just go get yourself ready for the next call.’ But he did nothing but good things for himself in this first chance.”

Another pitcher who has done well when called on this season – lefty Raymond Burgos – returned for Saturday’s doubleheader as the 27th man.

Burgos gives Tracy a length option for either of the games.