Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is unsure if starting pitcher Tanner Houck (face) will need surgery to fix a facial fracture he suffered when he was hit below his right eye by a line drive from New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka last Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander needed stitches and was checked at a hospital after he walked off the mound under his own power on Friday. He was put on the 15-day injured list on Sunday, but it's unknown if he'll be able to return when eligible, and it will likely depend on whether he can avoid surgery. In 13 starts for Boston this year, Houck has gone 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA. He has a 12-15 record with nine saves and a 3.66 ERA in 66 career outings (33 starts) for the team.

The Boston Red Sox announced on Sunday that they placed right-hander Tanner Houck (face) on the 15-day injured list with a facial fracture and recalled right-hander Kaleb Ort and left-hander Chris Murphy from the minors in corresponding moves. Murphy will serve as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader against the New York Yankees. Houck was hit by a comebacker on Friday and won't be able to return until July 2. The 26-year-old allowed a run while striking out only two in four innings before he was forced to leave on Saturday, and he now has a 5.05 ERA (4.21 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, 23 walks and 64 strikeouts in 67 2/3 innings over 13 starts for Boston this year. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Houck isn't ready to return when eligible.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (face) was discharged from the hospital on Saturday. The 26-year-old exited Friday's meeting with the Yankees after taking a hit to the face. The team initially believed he suffered a facial contusion. However, further tests revealed a fracture. Houck, who is 3-6 in 13 starts with a 5.05 ERA this season, will meet with specialists next week to determine the course of action. But considering the severity of the injury, he may be heading for the injured list.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (face) exited Friday's meeting with the Yankees after taking a line drive to the right cheek in the fifth inning. The 26-year-old right-hander lasted four innings, surrendering four hits and one run while striking out two batters. Fortunately, Houck may have gotten lucky, with the Red Sox announcing he suffered a facial contusion. However, he could undergo further testing, although a definitive update should come soon.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck is taking the hill for Friday's matchup with Domingo German and the New York Yankees. The 26-year-old is sporting a 5.23 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP and 23.1% strikeout rate over 63.2 innings, but his 3.86 xERA is much more encouraging. With Aaron Judge (toe) out of action, the Yankees offense has struggled, and Houck has the stuff to handle their lineup. The fourth-year player should be on a roster in every format and is a starting option on Friday in most leagues.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said right-hander Tanner Houck is going to remain in the starting rotation. "He's gonna keep starting. He's not going to the bullpen. He'll make his next start in Philly on Sunday." Pressed if that meant long-term on Houck, Cora stuck with, "He's pitching Sunday. He's starting on Sunday." Left-hander James Paxton (hamstring) is expected to make his 2023 debut in the near future, and it remains to be seen who will be booted from the rotation to make room. The 26-year-old Houck has allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out seven in 11 innings in his last two starts, so he needs to tighten things down on Sunday if he wants to stick around in the rotation long term. Overall, Houck has a 5.34 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.37 WHIP, 13 walks and 29 K's in 32 innings over his six starts in 2023.

The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation is getting crowded after Brayan Bello came back on Monday and with left-hander James Paxton's (hamstring) season debut on the horizon. Right-hander Tanner Houck made a strong case for one of the five or six spots on Thursday by going a career-high seven innings in an 11-5 win over the Twins. He allowed three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out seven. In the offseason, he added a cutter and upped his splitter usage. Houck generated 18 swings and six whiffs on his slider on Thursday. The 26-year-old has been one of Boston's most consistent starters, going at least five innings in three of his four starts and never giving up more than three earned runs. If Houck has another strong start in his next outing, Boston may have no choice but to leave him in their rotation moving forward.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck picked up the win in Tuesday's 10-2 Grapefruit League win over the Braves. Making his second start of the spring, Houck pitched three innings and faced a number of the Braves' starting bats, allowing two runs on three hits (including a two-run home run) and two walks with four strikeouts. The 26-year-old has turned in strong results as both a starter and reliever in his career, compiling a 3.02 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 27.6% strikeout rate in 146 innings. He is competing for a spot in the Red Sox's starting rotation currently, and despite the diminished offense backing him, his strikeout upside would make him worth a late-round look if he earns a spot.

The Boston Red Sox have discussed a long-term extension with right-hander Tanner Houck after locking in Garrett Whitlock to a four-year, $18.75 million deal 11 months ago. The talks with Houck didn't get very far last year, though, and haven't resulted in a deal or offer from Boston. He'll turn 27 in June and is in team control for five years. Houck has a 9-9 record with a 3.02 ERA in 53 major-league outings (20 starts) since his debut in 2020. If the right offer is made, Houck is open to an extension with Boston. The former first-rounder has found success as a starter and reliever early in his career, and he's competing for a rotation spot this spring, which could make him even more valuable in fantasy. It's unclear if Houck and the Red Sox will revisit a new contract in camp.

MassLiveSports' Christopher Smith reported Tuesday that Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck will be used as a starting pitcher during spring training and is one of seven pitchers competing for a starting rotation spot. The 26-year-old served mainly as a starter in 2021 but as a reliever in 2022, making just four starts in 32 appearances with a 5-4 record and eight saves to go with a 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 22.7% strikeout rate. Houck missed the final several months of the 2022 season with lower back inflammation but had a successful surgery in the off-season. Manager Alex Cora said that Houck will be used in a multi-inning role if he does end up in the bullpen. His role will mostly determine his fantasy value, as he would be a potential fantasy asset as either a starter or a closer, but would have limited value as a middle reliever.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-handers Garrett Whitlock (hip) and Tanner Houck (back) have been throwing this offseason and are on track for the start of the 2023 season. Whitlock is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right hip, while Houck had a lumbar discectomy. If healthy, Whitlock should begin the year in the starting rotation after he had a 3.45 ERA (3.29 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, six saves and 26.4% strikeout rate in 78 1/3 innings over 31 outings (nine starts) for Boston in his second MLB season. Houck was used mostly in relief (four starts in 32 appearances) and had a career-high eight saves, but Boston is expected to stretch him out for a potential starting role this spring. However, he's also a trade candidate, so he could find himself pitching somewhere other than Boston in 2023.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck has generated significant trade interest this offseason, according to a baseball source. The Red Sox are open to listening on their young starters because any significant trade would likely force the team to part with some of its pitching depth. If Houck stays in Boston, he projects as a very important part of the team's pitching staff in 2023 in a still-to-be-determined role. Whether he pitches out of the rotation or bullpen will depend on how the staff comes together in spring training and the overall health of the staff, including Houck, whose 2022 season was cut short due to back surgery. The 26-year-old will be built up as a starter this spring to give the team more options. Houck will have much more fantasy upside in a starting role, but he could also have value in deeper leagues if he's in the bullpen in a high-leverage role.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck (back) underwent surgery to fix a disc issue in his lower back on Sept. 6 and won't return this season. He was moved to the 60-day injured list on Sept. 4. Houck is expected to make a full recovery in time for spring training next year, and he's already feeling better. "Oh, I definitely can feel the difference," Houck said. "Before, my leg was on fire. I described it as fire ants were running up and down my leg. I have no more side effects, no more anything. I feel completely back to normal. I already told [manager Alex Cora] I'd pitch tonight if they let me, but I don't think that'll happen." Before his injury, the 26-year-old was having a fine season, converting eight of his nine save chances while posting a 3.15 ERA in 32 outings.

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck (back) is expected to have back surgery to repair a disc issue. Houck was expected to miss the rest of the 2022 season, but this news all but confirms that. Houck has been dealing with the issue since an IL stint in early August, and even when he was pitching he wasn't feeling right. The Red Sox closer pitched to a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while recording eight saves. Expect Boston to continue going with a closer-by-committee approach, with Garrett Whitlock, John Schreiber, and Matt Barnes all getting opportunities down the stretch.

The Boston Red Sox are shutting right-hander Tanner Houck (back) down now, and there's "a good chance" he'll miss the rest of the 2022 season, according to skipper Alex Cora. The team scratched Houck from his scheduled live batting practice session on Tuesday due to continued back soreness, and there's just not enough time left in the year for the 26-year-old to make it back, especially since the Red Sox are on the outside of the playoff picture. He went on the injured list on Aug. 9 with a disc issue in his back, and he continued to deal with soreness when he resumed throwing. If this is the end of the road for Houck in 2022, he'll finish with a 5-4 record, 3.15 ERA (3.31 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP, eight saves and a 56:22 K:BB in 60 innings over 32 appearances (four starts).

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck (back) didn't throw live batting practice as scheduled Tuesday due to continued back soreness. He has been sidelined since August 9 with a disc issue in his back. The 26-year-old is "on hold" with continued back soreness. He has been solid this season, posting a 3.15 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with eight saves and 56 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched over 32 appearances (four starts). The right-hander is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list. Houck is hopeful to pitch again this season and is likely a few weeks away from returning to action. Fantasy managers with an open IL spot can continue to stash Houck on their roster.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Tanner Houck (back) is hopeful that he'll be able to pitch again this season. He said he's feeling much better after getting rest and didn't need an injection or surgery for the disc issue in his back. Houck has resumed playing catch over the last few games. The 26-year-old right-hander has been solid for the Red Sox this year with a 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, eight saves and 56 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched over 32 appearances (four starts). Because he could return to the closer role when he's ready in September, he's worth stashing in fantasy leagues. Until then, Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber are the best bets for save opportunities in Boston's bullpen.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck (back) has been diagnosed with a disc issue in his back. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that Houck will receive treatment on his back over the next week and after that, the team will determine what the next move will be. In delivering this report, Abraham added, "Doesn't sound promising." Houck was serving as the team's primary closer prior to landing on the injured list. Since he's been out, we've seen both Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber utilized in the ninth. It's unclear who is more likely to see save chances going forward. In leagues were saves are highly coveted, both players are roster worthy.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck (back) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 6. This is bad timing for Boston, as Houck has been sharp out of the bullpen this year. He currently holds a 3.15 ERA and 56:22 K:BB ratio over 60 innings (four starts, 28 relief appearances) on the season. Houck already had two saves in August and appeared to be the best option for Boston in the ninth inning. Now the Red Sox will likely have to go with a closer-by-committee approach with Houck sidelined. Garrett Whitlock will probably be the favorite for save chances with Houck injured, with John Schreiber and Austin Davis also being late-inning options.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Tanner Houck picked up his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Astros. Houck came on to end the game with a one-run lead and delivered a 1-2-3 inning with no strikeouts. It was his second consecutive save and he now has a 3.15 ERA with just one blown save this season. The Red Sox have used a number of relief pitchers in save situations this season, but Houck appears to be the arm to roster in fantasy for the time being.