Houck allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings during Sunday's spring start against the Yankees.
Houck made his third spring start, and it's looking like he'll remain in that role for the beginning of the regular season. Both Brayan Bello (forearm) and James Paxton(hamstring) appear headed for the injured list to begin the campaign, which opens up a spot for Houck and another depth starter. Add in Garrett Whitlock (hip), who will make his spring debut this week, and there should be plenty of openings for Houck to stake his claim to the rotation.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Makes second spring start
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Houck allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings in Tuesday's spring start against Atlanta.
While the results aren't impressive, Houck faced one batter over the minimum in the first two innings when he registered three of his four strikeouts. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was pleased with the pitcher's second Grapefruit League start, Dawn Klemish of MLB.com reports. "As far as stuff, I saw a lot of swings and misses, and he used a split-change a few times today and kept them off-balance, so that was a good one," Cora said. One goal for the right-hander was to throw more strikes, and Houck threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of 13 batters faced. Houck, who has served in a variety of roles for Boston, was ticketed for a multi-inning relief role in 2023, but injuries to three projected starters make him a rotation possibility to start the season. None of the three sidelined hurlers -- Brayan Bello (forearm), James Paxton (hamstring) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) -- are expected to be out too long.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Rust shows in spring debut
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Houck allowed four walks and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.
Houck, working as a starter, made his spring debut and looked rusty. It was the first game appearance in seven months for the right-hander, who missed the final seven weeks of 2022 with a back issue that eventually required surgery. Houck told Ian Browne of MLB.com that he was "leaving the arm hanging behind" and knows the adjustment he needs to make. Houck is projected to serve in a multi-inning relief role, but the club is stretching him out during the Grapefruit League. He could emerge as a rotation member early on if Garrett Whitlock (hip) or Brayan Bello (forearm) aren't ready for Opening Day.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Likely to open season in rotation?
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Houck could be in line to open the season in the Red Sox' rotation with Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Brayan Bello (forearm) behind schedule, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Houck had seemed ticketed for a relief role when camp opened, but it appears he'll be needed more in the rotation initially. It's possible the assignment is temporary, as neither Whitlock or Bello are expected to miss much time if they do end up on the injured list. Of course, Houck could change that conversation if he gets off to a good start. The right-hander has a 3.22 ERA in 20 career starts and a 2.68 ERA in 33 relief outings.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Spring debut scheduled
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Houck will start next Thursday against against the Phillies, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
This will be the first time Houck pitches in game action since undergoing back surgery last September. He's in the mix for a rotation spot but could eventually serve as a multi-inning reliever, if Boston's projected starters remain healthy.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: In spring rotation mix
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Houck (back) will serve as a starter during spring training but could move to a multi-inning bullpen role, Christopher Smith fo MassLive.com reports. "We will see where we want him but we have to maximize him," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
Houck is one of seven candidates vying for the five-man rotation. The pitcher said he's a "full-go" for spring training after undergoing back surgery last September. Houck has been used as both a starter and reliever in the majors, thriving in both roles. The right-hander has a 3.22 ERA in 20 career starts and a 2.68 ERA in 33 relief appearances.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: On track for start of season
Rotowire
Houck (back) is throwing off the mound, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Houck is working his way back from a lumbar discectomy that sidelined the right-hander at the end of last season. He's been the subject of trade rumors, but for now is being prepped to compete for a spot in the Red Sox rotation.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: To be ready for spring training
Rotowire
Houck underwent a successful lumbar discectomy Tuesday and is expected to be ready for the start of 2023 spring training.
Back surgery is always a tricky procedure for athletes to come back from successfully and quickly, but the hope is that Houck's 2023 season won't be greatly affected. He had saves in back-to-back appearances in early August before landing on the injured list, and it's unclear how much Houck will factor into the saves mix in 2023. He could also eventually get stretched back out as a starter, although he was limited to 60 innings this season.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Moves to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Red Sox transferred Houck (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman Triston Casas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday in a corresponding move. Houck is scheduled to undergo surgery next week to address a disc issue in his back and will miss the rest of the season.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Undergoing surgery next week
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Houck will undergo back surgery next week, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Houck was expected to require surgery to correct a disc issue in his back, and manager Alex Cora confirmed Saturday that the right-hander will undergo a procedure in the coming days. However, Houck is expected to be ready for spring training in 2023. It's not yet clear what role he'll play next season after he saw his fair share of save chances in 2022.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Expected to undergo back surgery
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Houck is expected to undergo back surgery, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Houck was shut down Thursday due to continued back soreness, with reports emerging that he might not return this season. If he does indeed undergo surgery, that should rule him out for the remainder of this season and could lead to questions about his durability and effectiveness heading into 2023. He recorded a 3.15 ERA in 60 innings this season, working mostly out of the bullpen. His eight saves still lead the Red Sox, but Garrett Whitlock (six), John Schreiber (five) and/or Matt Barnes (four) could pass him down the stretch.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Shut down, may not return in 2022
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Houck (back) was shut down from throwing Thursday, and manager Alex Cora isn't sure if the right-hander will return by the end of the season, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Houck was scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, but that session was scratched due to lingering back soreness, and he's now been shut down entirely. It doesn't sound as though the 26-year-old has experienced a setback, but he's clearly not fully recovered from the disc issue that landed him on the injured list nearly a month ago. Even if Houck is able to return this season, he's likely to be out until late September. Garrett Whitlock, John Schreiber and Matt Barnes should continue to split save chances for the Red Sox.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Live BP scrapped
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Houck (back) didn't throw live batting practice as scheduled Tuesday due to continued back soreness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
The 26-year-old landed on the shelf Aug. 9 with a disc issue in his back and returned to throwing last week, but the ongoing soreness will prevent him from further ramping up his throwing program. Houck is already eligible to return from the 15-day IL, but he may still be a couple weeks away from rejoining the active roster.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Slated to face hitters
Rotowire
Houck (back) will throw live batting practice at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Houck has been on the injured list since early August due to a disc issue in his back, but he was cleared to throw off flat ground early last week. The right-hander has made quick progress in his recovery since then, and he'll take another significant step by facing hitters Tuesday. Assuming he feels good afterward, it's possible that the right-hander will be able to begin a rehab assignment soon.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Throws Tuesday
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Houck (back) threw off flat ground Tuesday and felt good following the session, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Houck appears poised to avoid surgery to address the disc injury in his back, something that looked to be a real possibility as recently as last week. He'll start building up in the coming days, and Boston manager Alex Cora hopes the right-hander can pitch by the end of the season.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Dealing with disc issue
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Houck (back) was diagnosed with a disc issue Tuesday and will return to Boston for a week of treatment, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Houck will be re-evaluated next Monday before the Red Sox determine his next steps, but at this stage, the right-hander's return from the injured list doesn't look to be imminent. If he responds well to treatment over the next several days, Houck could be back near the end of the month in a best-case scenario, but a return in September seems more likely. The Red Sox should continue to lean on Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber in higher-leverage spots while their preferred closer is sideilned.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: One more specialist to see
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Houck (back) is scheduled to visit a spine specialist Monday, MLB.com reports.
The upcoming meeting with a back specialist will be the last in a series of appointments for Houck, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 6. Boston manager Alex Cora believes the club will have a better idea of the right-hander's timetable after the final consultation, and the earliest Houck can return is Aug. 21. While Houck is unavailable, Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber have picked up save chances.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Team gathers information
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team is still gathering information on Houck's back injury, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Houck was placed on the injured list Tuesday with lower-back inflammation. The pitcher has a couple of appointments with physicians coming up, and the Red Sox will have a better idea about a timeline after Houck has been evaluated.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Lands on injured list
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Houck was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 6, with lower-back inflammation.
Houck hasn't seen the mound since pitching back-to-back games on the first two days of August, so it's unclear when exactly he suffered the injury. The 26-year-old has been operating as Boston's primary closer, and Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber are the likely candidates to step in while Houck is sidelined.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Logs another save
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Houck saved Tuesday's 2-1 win against the Astros, tossing 1.2 perfect innings. He failed to record a strikeout.
Houck was brought in with two on and one out in the bottom of the eighth and escaped the jam on just four pitches, then delivered a 1-2-3 frame in the ninth for his second save in as many days. Manager Alex Cora's use of the 26-year-old for consecutive saves cements his status as Boston's primary closer after Garret Whitlock picked up two saves at the end of July. Houck possesses a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 56 strikeouts in 60 innings, with eight saves in 32 appearances.
