Red Sox

Here’s when Tanner Houck is expected to make his return to the Red Sox

Houck has been sidelined for almost two months after suffering a facial fracture on June 16.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck (89), with only a small scar showing on his cheek, watches from the dugout during the eighth inning. The Boston Red Sox host the Oakland Athletics on July 8, 2023 at Fenway Park in Boston, MA.
Tanner Houck underwent surgery for his facial fracture back on June 27. Barry Chin / Globe Staff

By Conor Ryan

More pitching reinforcements are on the way for the Red Sox.

According to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham, pitcher Tanner Houck is expected to start for Boston on Monday night when the Sox open a series on the road against the Houston Astros. 

It will be Houck’s first appearance in the big leagues since June 16, with the 27-year-old righty sidelined for two months after suffering a facial fracture during a game against the Yankees.

With Houck on the mound, Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka blasted a line drive back at the Sox starter — striking him in the face. Even though Houck walked off the field under his own power, testing confirmed the fracture.

He underwent surgery to get a metal plate inserted into his face on June 27, and has slowly made his way back to the mound over the last month. After adhering to a liquid diet for close to three weeks, Houck started a throwing program during the second week of July. 

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Houck began his rehab assignment with the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox in early August. In two outings with the WooSox, Houck posted a 3.86 ERA over 4.2 innings of work with six strikeouts. He is expected to make another appearance with Worcester on Wednesday before getting the call back up to Boston.

Houck has made 13 starts with Boston this season, posting a 3-6 record with a 5.05 ERA.

Despite his uneven performance this season, Houck’s return should further reinforce a Red Sox pitching staff that has had to opt for multiple bullpen-heavy games throughout the summer due to injuries.

Last week, Chris Sale was activated from the 60-day IL on Friday night against the Tigers. In his first start since June 1, the southpaw went 4.2 innings and allowed one hit and two runs while striking out seven. 

Just two days later, Garrett Whitlock was activated from the IL after missing over a month of action due to right elbow inflammation. After lackluster returns as a starter, Whitlock has been reverted back into a multi-inning reliever for Boston’s 2023 stretch run. 

The righty tossed two scoreless innings and struck out three in the Red Sox’ 6-3 win over the Tigers on Sunday. 

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