Red Sox Reveal Scheduled Date For Tanner Houck Rehab Start

Tanner Houck could soon take a significant step toward returning to the Boston Red Sox.

Amid a rough start to the 2025 season, Boston placed Houck on the injured list with a right elbow strain last month. The 28-year-old hasn’t pitched since surrendering 11 runs to the Detroit Tigers on May 12.

On Friday, MassLive’s Christopher Smith shared a photo of Houck throwing off a pitcher’s mound. Following the bullpen session, the Red Sox mapped out the next stage in his comeback.

Per MLB.com’s Ian Browne, the Red Sox are aiming for Houck to make a minor-league rehab start next Wednesday.

Houck’s 2025 started far differently than last year. In his first full season in Boston’s rotation, the right-hander made the All-Star team with a 2.54 ERA in 117 first-half innings. Houck finished the 2024 season with a 3.12 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 30 starts.

Meanwhile, Houck was winless with an 8.04 ERA in nine starts before getting sidelined in May. Unfortunately, his last appearance was the second time he allowed 11 earned runs in a single turn, as the Tampa Bay Rays also rocked Houck on April 14.

Houck will look to erase those early doldrums once he returns. If he comes back to a five-man rotation, he could bump Hunter Dobbins to the bullpen or minors despite the rookie’s solid 4.20 ERA.

Kutter Crawford, the only Red Sox pitcher to tally more innings than Houck last season, has sat out the entire season with a knee injury. The 29-year-old was also progressing toward a rehab stint, but a sore wrist has delayed those plans.

The Red Sox are slated to start Garrett Crochet, Dobbins, and Brayan Bello during their three-game home series against the New York Yankees.