Tanner Houck just completed his first rehab assignment since that brutal Tommy John surgery back in August 2025. Yeah, you read that right: August 2025. It’s been two years since he was on a big league mound, and he’s finally back. He tossed 20 pitches, only 8 for strikes, and allowed a run in just 0.2 innings, but honestly, who cares about the stats right now? The dude is throwing again. That’s the real story, but what does it actually mean for the Red Sox staff?
Rust, Reliability, and That Playoff Pitching Staff Question
Getting back on the bump after two years is a mountain, and Houck just took the first step. The plan is for him to throw another game later this week, ramping up to around 40 pitches. If he keeps progressing, he could actually be in the mix for the playoff pitching staff. That’s huge, but it also opens up a whole can of worms. Can you trust him? His best season was way back in 2024, and before that, his track record was super limited. We’re talking about a guy coming off a major surgery, with a history that doesn’t exactly scream “proven.”
Bullpen or Bust: Picking Spots for Houck
One of Houck’s biggest struggles before the injury was getting through lineups multiple times. In a starting role, that’s a killer. But here’s the kicker: if he’s in a bullpen role, that problem basically disappears. Chad Tracy could pick and choose exactly when to deploy the righty, shielding him from facing lefties multiple times, which has also been a question mark for Houck. But even with these potential “solutions” to his weaknesses, there are still big questions. Can he shake off two years of rust? Will his strike-throwing be consistent? And that lack of a third pitch, is it still an issue? It makes you wonder.
I’m personally leaning towards skeptical on this one. Is his major league experience enough to bump someone like Wyatt Olds or Greg Weissert from the staff right now? Or are the Red Sox better off leaving Houck on the shelf until 2027 to ensure he’s truly ready? We’ll get a better look when he’s back out there later this week, trying to hit that 40-pitch mark. What’s at stake is a potential spot on a playoff pitching staff, and with so many questions, every pitch matters right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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