Crochet, Houck making good progress toward return for Red Sox

ST. PETERSBURG -- While the Red Sox were engaged in a tough battle with the Rays on Saturday, losing 2-1, two of their rehabbing pitchers took steps forward.

Garrett Crochet, the lefty ace who is trying to make it back in time to serve as reliever in the postseason, threw another two-inning side session on Saturday, this one at Polar Park in Worcester, Mass.

If Crochet doesn’t have any ill effects coming out of that session, the Red Sox are hopeful they can have him face hitters at Fenway Park early next week, and perhaps multiple times in the team’s final homestand leading up to the postseason.

“I think it just depends on how he feels coming out of it, how much volume we give him,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “So it's hard to say. I know it's not a great answer, but it's just really how it is. How does he feel after each step? So when he does that, how does he feel? And then determine from there. Do we give him more hitters or do we want to put him in a game? It’s hard to say until you know how he feels.”

Meanwhile, righty Tanner Houck made his final rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester, allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) over 3 1/3 innings. Houck walked none and struck out two as he continued to make progress in his return from Tommy John surgery.

As is the case with Crochet, Houck doesn’t have time to build back up as a starter, but he could be a bullpen option for the Sox in October.

Perhaps Houck could make an appearance or two during the season-ending homestand against the Guardians and Cubs, which starts Tuesday.