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Red Sox Prospect Watch: Tanner Houck now in Triple-A bullpen

By Hunter Noll

BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: The American Flag is draped from the Green Monster as Gold Star families and Veterans from the Red Sox organization look on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 28: The American Flag is draped from the Green Monster as Gold Star families and Veterans from the Red Sox organization look on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 6: Manager Alex Cora #20 of the Boston Red Sox, right, and Marco Hernandez #40 of the Boston Red Sox watch from the dugout during the sixth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 6, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The Boston Red Sox are looking everywhere for bullpen help. That includes starting pitcher Tanner Houck, who is now in the bullpen in Triple-A.

The ups and downs of the Boston Red Sox 2019 season haven’t stopped. Of course, the biggest issue has been the bullpen. To fight that, the Red Sox have moved multiple starting pitching prospects to the bullpen – and a few appear close to the Majors.

Other than the bullpen, things still aren’t perfect. However, a lot of the younger players are giving them a reason to be excited.

On Monday, Michael Chavis hit his first career grand slam. He now has 16 homers on the season for Boston, hitting .259 with 52 RBI. His power has more than translated to the Majors and he’s shown an ability to play multiple positions.

With the DFA of Eduardo Nunez, it appears the Red Sox plan on keeping Chavis around for the rest of the year.

With Nunez DFA’d, Sam Travis was recalled. He’s having a very strong year in Triple-A, slashing .275/.362/.432 with 33 RBI and 36 runs scored. Travis is only hitting .194 in the Majors this year but that’s in just 31 at-bats. Things can change quickly. It should also be noted that this likely won’t be a long stint for the first baseman/outfielder.

Marco Hernandez is another reason for the Nunez DFA. The infielder has been absolutely on fire for the Red Sox so far. He’s 18-for-52 (.346) with career-highs already in doubles (4) and home runs (2). He has a new high with seven RBI and his 10 runs scored are just one away from tying his old mark.

Hernandez is a great offensive player and getting a chance to showcase that this year. It’s great to see him back after battling injuries for the past two seasons.

Josh Taylor hasn’t given up a run since June 30. The left-hander is proving to be a valuable member of the Boston bullpen – posting a 3.72 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings pitched so far.

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