To accommodate the addition of Dustin May to their 40-man roster, the Boston Red Sox have transferred injured pitcher Tanner Houck to the 60-day injured list. While this move does not alter Houck’s recovery timeline, Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow’s comments imply that the team may not be able to welcome him back before the end of the season.
Houck has been sidelined since May 14 due to a right flexor pronator strain and has spent more than two months off the field. The transition to the 60-day injured list is primarily a procedural one, freeing up a roster spot while he continues to recover. Unfortunately, Houck has been unable to resume throwing after experiencing renewed soreness during a rehab outing in mid-July. Breslow indicated that the team is evaluating all possible options for Houck.
After being removed from his rehab assignment during the All-Star break, Houck consulted with medical professionals this week to understand why his injury had not improved after an extended rest period following his initial injury. Breslow noted, “I think he is trying to weigh all of the information, figure out what the right course is.”
The team has been reticent about the specifics of Houck’s condition since he was pulled from his rehab assignment. While he has remained at Fenway Park for home games, he has not joined the team on road trips, which is typical for injured players. With only eight weeks remaining in the season, Houck’s window to make a return is narrowing.
Once considered an All-Star, Houck struggled early in the 2025 season, registering a concerning 8.04 ERA over nine starts after a difficult spring training. His recent performances had featured significant struggles, including two particularly rough outings that saw him yield a total of 23 runs over just five innings.
In light of Houck’s ongoing injury challenges, Boston is unlikely to receive help from other injured pitchers like Hunter Dobbins (torn ACL) or Kutter Crawford (wrist). Additionally, contributions from Patrick Sandoval, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, seem improbable. Consequently, the Red Sox made a strategic move to strengthen their rotation by acquiring Dustin May from the Dodgers just ahead of the trade deadline.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges the Red Sox face this season and the importance of their recent transactions to maintain competitive performance on the field. The team will look to navigate the remainder of the season while hoping for positive developments in Houck’s recovery.