Red Sox: Tanner Houck injury update puts remainder of season in doubt
Red Sox receive unideal injury update on Tanner Houck
The Boston Red Sox are preparing to welcome back a slew of players from the Injured List, but they might have to keep one on longer than expected, too.
On Tuesday, ahead of their series in Pittsburgh, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe shared an update on Tanner Houck’s condition, and it’s not encouraging:
"“Tanner Houck has a disc issue in his lower back. He’ll stay in Boston this week to rest in advance of re-evaluation next Monday. Cora said this is a big week to determine his availability moving forward this year.”"
Not at all what you want to hear when the Sox finally have something cooking.
It’s already been difficult for the bullpen to compensate for Houck’s absence over the last two weeks. He last pitched on August 2 in Houston before joining several fellow Sox arms on the IL, including relievers Matt Strahm and Tyler Danish.
Houck made his debut as a starting pitcher in 2020 and was excellent over three games. He continued to work primarily as a starter in 2021 but has moved into more of a relief role this year. Working primarily out of the bullpen, he has a 3.15 ERA over exactly 60 innings. The Sox are 21-11 in games in which he makes an appearance.
