The Boston Red Sox will tweak Tanner Houck\u2019s usage in his next rehab outing.<\/p>\n
Houck has made two abbreviated starts at Triple-A Worcester as he works his way back to Boston. The 2024 All-Star struggled<\/a> in Tuesday\u2019s last appearance, allowing three hits, two walks and four runs over 1 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday, via MassLive\u2019s Christoper Smith<\/a> and the Boston Globe\u2019s Alex Speier<\/a>, that Houck will take the mound for the WooSox on Sunday. This time, he\u2019ll follow an opener out of the bullpen.<\/p>\n That doesn\u2019t mean the Red Sox will use Houck accordingly in the majors. They\u2019re seeking ways for the 28-year-old to rediscover his stuff during his rehab stint.<\/p>\n Houck entered last year\u2019s All-Star break with a 2.54 ERA, but his 2025 started far worse. The former first-round pick surrendered 11 earned runs each on April 14 and May 12, torpedoing his ERA to 8.04.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Boston placed him on the injured list after the second 11-run start against the Detroit Tigers. Houck\u2019s rotation replacement, Hunter Dobbins, is now sidelined with his own elbow strain.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Red Sox also received bad news elsewhere on the rehab front. Kutter Crawford will likely miss<\/a> the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his throwing wrist following an off-field accident.<\/p>\n Boston could use an effective Houck back in the mix. Richard Fitts, who yielded two runs over four innings in Wednesday\u2019s major-league return, will start in the meantime. <\/p>\n