Two days after Tanner Houck gave up 11 earned runs in a start against Detroit, the Boston Red Sox placed the right-hander on the injured list with a right flexor pronator strain.
Houck’s outing Monday was the second time in the span of six starts in which he had given up 11 earned runs in 2 1/3 innings pitched, ballooning his ERA to 8.04 through nine starts this season.
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Houck told reporters in Detroit after Monday’s start, it was “the most lost I’ve ever been.”
The 28-year-old is in the midst of the roughest stretch of his career and it’s coming off a 2024 All-Star season in which he posted a 3.12 ERA. He made 30 starts and threw 178 2/3 innings, both career highs.
Houck never seemed to bounce back from the workload last season and struggled in spring training as well. A flexor pronator strain affects the muscles on the inner forearm that help with wrist flexion and pronation.
The Red Sox have not discussed a timetable for return. A milder diagnosis can be a few weeks to a few months, while surgery is also possible.
In his place, the Red Sox recalled right-hander Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Worcester. Criswell has appeared in three games for the Red Sox this season, allowing eight runs, five earned, in 4 1/3 innings. In Worcester, he’s posted a 1.99 ERA in five games, four starts.
The Red Sox have three starters on the IL with Walker Buehler working his way back from right shoulder inflammation and Richard Fitts recovering from a right pectoral strain. Kutter Crawford began the year on the IL with knee inflammation and is not close to returning.
Buehler is set to return to the rotation during the series against the Mets next week. Fitts has yet to face hitters and has been throwing bullpens.
In the meantime, the Red Sox rotation has been anchored by Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and rookie Hunter Dobbins. Dobbins joined the rotation with Buehler on the IL, but now Dobbins figures to slide into Houck’s role.
(Photo: Duane Burleson / Getty Images)
