How Red Sox Pitcher Tanner Houck Fared In Latest Rehab Outing

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck continues to make progress as he works his way back from a right flexor pronator strain that has sidelined him for nearly two months.

Placed on the 15-day injured list on May 14, Houck looked rough during his first three rehab outings, but seemed to turn the corner during his last appearance with Double-A Portland when he tossed five scoreless innings on Friday.

Making the start for Worcester on the road against Rochester on Wednesday, Houck looked solid during his 4 1/3 innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out six and walking two on 76 pitches.

In the second inning, Houck hit the first batter he faced before notching three consecutive strikeouts to end the frame. First, he got Jackson Cluff to swing at an 84.4 mph sweeper on the fourth pitch of the at-bat for out No.1. He next struck out C.J. Stubbs on a 96.8 mph sinker, before ending the inning by striking out Nasim Nuñez on a 90.7 mph splitter.

The only trouble spot for Houck arrived during the fourth inning. After getting the first two hitters out quickly, an error by shortstop Nick Sogard allowed a baserunner to reach. That was followed by a Jackson Cluff single that put runners on the corners. Following a walk that loaded the bases, Houck got Nuñez to ground out on a sweeper and kept Rochester scoreless.

Houck allowed a single to begin the bottom of the fifth inning, and that would be the end of his start. WooSox reliever Yohandy Morales would surrender a single later in the inning that would allow an inherited runner to score, which accounted for the only run credited to Houck during his appearance.

While certainly a step in the right direction, it remains unclear what Houck’s role will be when he’s activated off the IL. Given Walker Buehler’s recent struggles, he could be a candidate to rejoin the rotation sometime after the MLB All-Star break.