The Boston Red Sox called on Richard Fitts to make his MLB debut on Sept. 8 to give Tanner Houck an extra day of rest before his upcoming start against the Yankees.
Manager Alex Cora shared that the pitcher didn't recover as normal after his recent start against the Mets on Sept. 4. He said Houck's shoulder didn't bounce back right and he was dealing with a bit of dead arm.
But before Boston's getaway game against the Orioles, Houck told reporters that he's "feeling better" and is still slated to pitch in the Bronx on Friday. This is great news for the Sox, who are in no position to lose their ace — Boston is battling for a Wild Card spot, and it's a tight race in the American League. The Red Sox are four games back of the third Wild Card with the Tigers one game ahead, and every win is critical until the end of the campaign.
The Red Sox kept Fitts around after he debuted on Sept. 8, and if Houck could not start, the job likely would've gone to him. Fitts is a former Yankees prospect and he proved he could handle the big leagues in his debut when he posted 5.2 six-hit innings without an earned run.
Tanner Houck likely to start for Red Sox against Yankees on Sept. 13
The news that Houck feels better is the best pitching news the Red Sox got on Sept. 11. Cora shared updates on two other pitchers that could change the scope of the bullpen for the rest of the season, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.
Left-handed reliever Brennan Bernardino has been placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Cora said an MRI showed "stuff in there," but his injury is bone-related and not ligament-related.
With just 16 games left in the season and a postseason bid still uncertain for Boston, it seems unlikely Bernardino will pitch again this year. The Red Sox have activated fellow lefty Cam Booser to take his place in the bullpen — Booser had been on the IL with elbow inflammation since Aug. 15.
Cora says Sox are “very close” to deciding Hendriks won’t be able to make it back this year.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) September 11, 2024
Brennan Bernardino to IL with elbow inflammation, Liam Hendriks may not pitch for Red Sox this season
Booser may be the last bullpen help Boston will get. Cora also shared that the Red Sox are "very close" to deciding that Liam Hendriks will not pitch in the big leagues this year.
Hendriks made it clear that he wished to pitch for the Red Sox this year throughout his Tommy John surgery recovery. When he didn't bounce back fast enough to make back-to-back rehab appearances before Boston's series against the White Sox, his timeline for return came into question.
Kristian Campbell pulled from WooSox game with lat soreness
Red Sox infield prospect Kristian Campbell was pulled from the Worcester Red Sox's Wednesday game after he appeared to hurt his arm on a swing. As the 22-year-old crossed first base, he extended and stretched his arm strangely, as if he was attempting to relieve pain.
Campbell was later pulled from the game and Speier reported he has lat soreness. He's been downgraded to day-to-day. Just over a week remains in the Triple-A season, so he may not play many more times before the campaign ends.