Tanner Houck has looked like a completely different pitcher since the first half of his breakout 2024 season. The Boston Red Sox’s latest roster move may explain why.
Boston has placed Houck on the 15-day injured list with a right flexor pronator strain, retroactive to May 13, first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive. The Red Sox have recalled Cooper Criswell to take his place.
Houck took the mound against the Detroit Tigers on May 12 for his ninth start of the year and got into trouble quickly. The Tigers broke through in the first inning on a homer by Gleyber Torres, the second batter Houck faced that night. Things only spiraled from there, and the righty only made it through 2.1 innings before the Red Sox had to stop the bleeding. He allowed 11 runs on nine hits and raised his ERA to 8.04 over 43.2 innings of work. He threw 69 pitches and 40 went for strikes.
Houck was also rocked for 11 runs against the Rays on April 14. His production has been confounding — for as many disastrous outings as he’s had, he’s posted just as many solid ones. He’s had the most success against the Blue Jays, with a two-run, 6.2-inning outing on April 9 and seven innings of one-run ball on May 1.
Red Sox place Tanner Houck on 15-day IL with flexor pronator strain, recall Cooper Criswell
No injuries are a good sign, but elbow and flexor ailments are particularly fearsome. Elbow and forearm injuries could be a sign of UCL issues, which often means the end of the season for pitchers. Hopefully, Houck can bounce back and return to his 2024 form.
Criswell has appeared out of the Red Sox’s rotation before and done a solid job of eating innings in the wake of injuries. He’s posted a rough 10.38 ERA over 4.1 frames in the big leagues this year, but his recent minor league showings have been great. Criswell owns a 1.99 ERA with 31 strikeouts over 22.2 innings with the WooSox so far.
The Red Sox are expecting some rotation reinforcements in the coming weeks to months. Walker Buehler is projected to be activated from the IL during Boston’s May 19-21 series against the Mets. Looking further ahead, Richard Fitts will face live batters soon and Kutter Crawford has begun throwing live batting practice and is expected to be sent on a rehab assignment soon.
