Tanner Houck’s most recent rehab start for the WooSox did not go well. The right-hander allowed four runs over 1.2 innings, all of which came in a laborious second inning in which Houck allowed three hits, two walks and a hit batsman.
Houck similarly struggled to put hitters away in his first rehab start, so next time out on Sunday the Red Sox plan to try something different.
“Sunday there’s going to be an opener and he’s going to come in from the bullpen,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said pregame on Friday. “This doesn’t have to do with the future, it’s kind of like a change of scenery to see if we can get him going.”
Prior to going on the 15-day injured list with a right flexor pronator strain, Houck had been in the middle of the worst stretch of his career. The 28-year-old has posted an 8.04 ERA through his first nine starts, including a pair of calamitous outings in which he allowed 11 earned runs each.
With a full five-man rotation plus newly acquired left-hander Kyle Harrison available in Worcester, there’s no guarantee Houck will return to the rotation upon his eventual return. Though Cora was careful to emphasize that Houck’s next outing shouldn’t be taken as an indicator of his future role, the possibility he could return as a reliever looks increasingly realistic.
Slaten to ramp up
Cora provided some good injury news relating to right-hander Justin Slaten (right shoulder inflammation), who has been on the IL since June 1 and hasn’t thrown in nearly a month. Cora said Slaten will begin throwing on Saturday, starting by playing catch before ramping up from there.
Prior to his injury Slaten was one of Boston’s top set-up men, posting a 3.47 ERA in 24 appearances.
Extra innings
Outfielder Masataka Yoshida (right shoulder labral repair) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday. … Third baseman Alex Bregman (right quad strain) hit on Friday and is expected to take grounders on Saturday. “He’s progressing well. No timetable yet,” Cora said. … Right-hander Nick Burdi (right foot contusion) is having an issue with his hip and has been shut down. … Right-hander Liam Hendriks (right hip inflammation) is playing catch up to 150 feet. … Infielder Marcelo Mayer (bereavement leave) will return to the team on Monday.
