Garrett Whitlock hasn’t pitched in a spring-training game yet, made his last appearance in a Major League contest on April 16 and had elbow surgery on May 30.

But Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Sunday that he’s “100 percent” sure the former UAB standout will be with the American League team when it heads north for the 2025 season.

Whitlock had made four starts and posted a 1-0 record with a 1.96 earned-run average when he went down last season with damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

Rather than Tommy John surgery, Whitlock underwent an internal brace procedure, which can cut a couple of months off the recovery time. And about a week after Boston’s pitchers and catchers reported for spring training in Fort Myers, Florida, Cora named Whitlock as the player who had caught his eye in the early going.

“The other day, the way he threw the ball,” Cora said. “It’s very similar to who he was in ’21 with more (velocity). I know he has been in the big leagues, and he has been hurt, but I truly believe we have to keep an eye on him because if he keeps going this way, he’s going to have a great season.”

In 2021, Whitlock was a Rule 5 acquisition coming off Tommy John surgery when he compiled an 8-4 record and a 1.96 ERA in 73.1 innings out of the Boston bullpen.

After that showing, the Red Sox signed Whitlock to a four-year contract extension meant to keep the right-hander with Boston through the 2026 season, with team options for the 2027 and 2028 campaigns.

In the past three seasons, Whitlock had a 10-7 record with a 4.01 ERA in 168.1 innings across 57 games. Elbow issues sent him to the injured list twice during that time before finally sending him to surgery.

Whitlock started 23 of those games, but he’ll be strictly a reliever in 2025, Cora said.

“We’re not going to play with the Whitlock thing,” Cora said. “He’s going to be a reliever.”

The Red Sox revamped their relievers during the offseason after 36-year-old Kenley Jansen led Boston with 27 saves in its 81-81 2024 showing.

The Red Sox are counting on a comeback by three-time All-Star and former American League saves leader Liam Hendricks, who hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since June 9, 2023, after Tommy John surgery.

Boston also signed Aroldis Chapman after the seven-time All-Star struck out 98 in 61.2 innings and saved 14 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.

The Red Sox open the 2025 season against the Texas Rangers on March 27.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.