The Red Sox have placed right-handed starting pitcher Tanner Houck on the 15-day injured list with a flexor pronator strain in his pitching arm. In a corresponding move, the team recalled fellow right-hander Cooper Criswell from Triple-A.
Following a strong 2024 season, Houck has not pitched well in 2025. Through nine starts, he is 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA. He has struck out just 32 batters in 43 2/3 innings, while walking 17 and hitting five. On two separate occasions, including his most recent outing on Monday, he has given up 11 earned runs in a start and failed to escape the third inning. If those two games were scratched from the register, his ERA would drop to 3.92, and his strikeout and walk rates would look much closer to what they were last season. But of course, there’s no pretending those blow-ups didn’t happen. Now, at least, Houck and the Red Sox might have an explanation for his struggles.
After Monday’s game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Chris Cotillo of MassLive that he was still trying to figure out why Houck had been so ineffective. “I’ve got to take a look at the video and we’ve got to see what we’re gonna do,” he explained. “Right now, it’s too fresh. It’s too quick. We have to take a look at it and see if it’s mechanical, usage, or where we’re at.” At that point in time, the skipper didn’t suggest the problem could be injury-related. Indeed, Cotillo notes that as recently as this afternoon, Cora continued to insist that Houck would start again this weekend. Now, Houck will not be able to return for at least two weeks. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out.
The Red Sox have not confirmed whether Criswell will make a start in Houck’s place. Criswell was more than serviceable as a starter last season, pitching to a 3.49 ERA and 4.21 FIP in 18 starts. While he failed to earn a rotation spot out of spring training, he has started his last four games at Triple-A to great success. In 20 2/3 innings, he has a 1.74 ERA with 27 strikeouts. Still, it’s possible he was called up to be an extra arm out of the bullpen instead. The Red Sox might prefer to move Sean Newcomb back from the bullpen into the rotation. After all, Newcomb beat out Criswell for a rotation spot on the Opening Day roster. Newcomb was also the reliever who came out of the bullpen and gave the team 5 2/3 strong innings on Monday after Houck’s early exit. In other words, he’s stretched out enough to start, and he’s on schedule to seamlessly take over for Houck.
There is also a chance the Red Sox won’t need either of Criswell or Newcomb to step up. They could skip Houck’s turn in the rotation and give the ball to Brayan Bello on Sunday, a course of action made possible by an off day on Thursday. Then, Walker Buehler, who is expected to be activated from the IL early next week (per Cotillo), could potentially make the start on Monday, giving Boston a rotation of Bello, Buehler, Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, and Hunter Dobbins. This is only an option, however, if Buehler is ready to go by Monday. While the Red Sox are planning for him to rejoin the team at some point during their series with the Mets, it’s not yet clear if Monday is a realistic date for his return.
And that explains why he was having such horrible starts. Had to be an injury of some kind…
Acoss – They insisted just 2 days ago he is physically fine, so who knows … could be real, could be phantom injury. Grain of salt …
It was clearly an injury to his “pitch good” tendon.
I thought his velocity and such seemed fine. So injury is shocking, but kind of explains what’s happening.
Maybe he has been slightly injured and it is throwing off his mechanics.
@all, I think that is most likely. He was struggling to locate.
Houk was lit up by Le Tigres Monday, so I’m not surprised. Is he related to Ralph Houk?
I doubt it. Their names are spelled differently.
He’s just as likely to be related to Tanner Bibee.
Or Houck Hogan
say yer prayers, eat yer vitamins! thus spoke the Houckster, brother!
Houck-a-Berry Finn!
But it looks very much like Madison bumgarner and James garner were related.
When all else fails, and you can’t get anyone out, say you’re hurt to save face, and go on the injured list.
Cora did Houck no favors by just sitting there as he got shellacked- letting him take more than his share for the team in Detroit. whether this injury is legit or not, hopefully Houck can come back with some confidence and be a contributor.
I think he’s been hurt since last year and has been pitching through it without complaining or using it as an excuse or crutch. If you’re not one of Cora’s favorites he doesn’t get in tune with you, just kept sending him out instead of investing time into him.
Houck probably had a sore forearm after the game (common), so they diagnosed it as a strain and put him on the IL to get his head straight. This will give him some time to reset, work things out in the bullpen and if need be, throw a couple of games down in AAA to rebuild his confidence.
Houck was completely lost after his last start. He had no explanation and sounded like someone who had no idea what to do. This time off will do wonders for him. Let’s just hope he can reset both physically and mentally and come back to his 2024 version of himself.
exactly right!
you are a saint, Dorothy Mantooth. a nice seafood dinner awaits!
I hope he’s better than his last two major league call ups, though he is pitching very well in triple a and I hope it translates to the majors
Somehow the Dodgers are at fault for this. I’m sure of it.
Phantom injury to get his head on straight