BOSTON -- Tanner Houck’s enthusiasm was obvious as he returned to Fenway Park on Monday after spending several weeks in relative isolation trying to complete his comeback from Tommy John surgery.
Back among teammates who are getting primed for a playoff run only motivates Houck to return and help the cause.
That quest started on Tuesday night with a modest step, as Houck opened a Minor League rehab assignment for Double-A Portland. Understandably, he showed some rust, throwing eight of his 20 pitches for strikes while retiring two batters. He didn’t give up a hit, but he allowed a run while walking two.
It was Houck’s first game action since July 9, 2025, when his rehab stint with Triple-A Worcester got cut short by the ailing forearm that led to his surgery.
The plan is for Houck to pitch again for Portland on Friday and elevate to 40-45 pitches.
The righty expressed hope of getting to Triple-A at some point next week, though plans haven’t been finalized for that yet.
Best-case scenario would have Houck pitching a game or two for the Red Sox in the final week of the regular season. And if his stuff is up to snuff, perhaps he could then be a part of the team’s postseason roster if they make it that far.
“Long year, long process,” said Houck. “But this was the goal from Day 1, to get back around this time and get some real competition under my belt. That never left my sight for a second, getting back around this time and facing real hitters, getting actual game competition."
Just like Garrett Crochet, who is coming back from a left shoulder injury that has kept him out for most of the season, Houck’s realistic path to helping the 2026 Red Sox is as a reliever, a role he’s been successful at in the past.
“It’s been a fun team to watch from afar,” said Houck. “The energy the players bring every night, the excitement level they bring to the city, I want to do nothing but help them in this postseason push and have a deep playoff run.”
Not only does Houck feel healthy, but he’s had plenty of time to tighten up his pitch mix and make sure everything is on point.
“I just feel like I’m in more sync with my pitches right now,” said Houck. “With the two seam, I’m a lot more confident with that. The splitter has been a pitch, throwing it down in Florida to hitters, [it] has been leaps and bounds better than what I could have imagined to this point. I kept tinkering with the sweeper over the last week.
“That has been a great evolution of where I know it can be and where it can end up. Where I’m behind is getting some innings under my belt right now and getting some length built out.”
What is the deal with the sweeper?
“Slight grip change. Tinkering between two of them right now,” said Houck. “I‘ve got one I’m throwing a little bit harder. I’m happy with where the development is of everything.”
Having a healthy and fresh Houck as a righty option in the bullpen is certainly appealing to the Red Sox.
“Let's see how these outings go and how he feels and go from there,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy.
Houck was a big part of Boston’s pitching staff from 2021-24, and he could give the team a nice weapon in the playoffs if he is built back to full strength.