Earlier this weekend Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the hope was that Tanner Houck would bounce back from his most recent bullpen session well enough to begin a rehab assignment next week.
As of now, it’s full steam ahead.
Houck will begin his rehab assignment in Worcester on Wednesday, Cora announced prior to Sunday’s game. Houck will throw two to three innings, and outfielder Wilyer Abreu is also expected to play in Worcester this week, though the manager said they’re still mapping out a plan for him.
Houck has been on the injured list since May 14 with a right flexor pronator strain, and prior to that he endured one of the worst stretches of his big league career. The right-hander has so far posted an 8.04 ERA through his first nine starts after previously earning All-Star honors in 2024.
Seattle starters set
Cora announced his starters for the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners. Lucas Giolito will pitch Monday’s series opener, Walker Buehler will take the mound on Tuesday and Garrett Crochet will pitch in Wednesday’s series finale.
The club will then have an off day on Thursday before continuing its west coast swing in San Francisco starting on Friday. Cora said they don’t anticipate shaking up the rotation or adding a sixth starter for the trip to get everyone else extra rest.
Extra innings
Alex Bregman (right quad strain) will not travel to the west coast so he can continue his rehab program at Fenway Park. … Red Sox first base coach Jose Flores recently underwent an unspecified procedure, which has necessitated bench coach Ramon Vazquez to fill in at first base over the past couple of days. Cora said Flores is expected to travel with the team to Seattle. … Prior to Sunday’s game, every Red Sox player had the nameplate at their locker replaced with a blue one bearing the name of their father. The club has done something similar for the players with their mothers on Mother’s Day in the past as well.
