Red Sox Place Struggling Pitcher On IL, Recall Right-Hander From Triple-A

After a rough outing on Monday, Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck has been placed on the 15-day injured list, the club announced Wednesday with a “right flexor pronator strain.”

Boston recalled right-handed Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Worcester in Houck’s place and is active for the Red Sox’s finale against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Houck has an 8.04 ERA, with 32 strikeouts and 17 walks across 43 2/3 innings in nine starts this season. He bottomed out Monday night in Detroit, where the Tigers tagged him for 11 earned runs on nine hits in just 2 1/3 innings. It’s the second time in his last six starts that Houck has surrendered 11 earned.

Criswell has appeared in three games for Boston this season, posting a 10.38 ERA across 4 1/3 innings with one save. Even though he struggled in Boston, Criswell has a 1.99 ERA with 31 strikeouts in five games for Worcester.

The Red Sox could explore moving Houck to the bullpen once Walker Buehler rejoins the rotation from injury. Moving him into the bullpen, where it would be easier to control his at-bats, would be the smart play, once the rotation is again healthy.