How Red Sox Pitcher Tanner Houck Performed In Rehab Start

In his second rehab start in Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Red Sox right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck struggled.

Houck has been on the 15-day injured list since May with a strained right arm. According to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, Houck is expected to be back in Boston around July 4.

The 28-year-old recorded just five outs against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He allowed four earned runs, three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Houck had a clean first inning, getting out of the frame after 12 pitches on a strikeout, groundout and fly out to left field. The second inning, however, was a different story.

The four earned runs were all in the second inning, allowing three singles and hitting a batter.

Houck threw 49 pitches, 26 for strikes, averaging 94.3 on his sinker. He used his sweeper 27 times, also using the sinker 15 times, splitter six times and four-seam fastball once, according to MassLive’s Christopher Smith.

In his first rehab start on June 19, Houck had a strong outing as he gave up one run over one-plus innings. He threw 32 pitches in that start, allowing two hits and a walk without recording a strikeout.

If Houck does comeback to the Red Sox roster on July 4, he will likely return with Kyle Harrison.