In a weekend series that saw the Boston Red Sox take two of three games in Cleveland against the Guardians, one Red Sox starter continued to struggle as the MLB season heads into May.
The first game of the doubleheader on Saturday saw the Red Sox fall, 5-4, after another discouraging first-inning performance from Tanner Houck.
After Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run home run in the top of the first, Houck quickly squandered the Red Sox lead after allowing four earned runs in the bottom half.
Outside of the first inning, Houck pitched well and kept the Red Sox in the game. His final line included 5 innings pitched, allowing eight hits, four earned runs, and a walk while striking out six Guardians batters.
Given the slow start for the 28-year-old, paired with the returns of Giolito and Bello, Houck could benefit from a move to the bullpen for a quick stint as the Red Sox navigate through the month of May.
Tanner Houck to Bullpen Could Benefit Red Sox
Houck’s outing on Saturday leaves him with a 0-2 record and 7.58 ERA, the worst among Red Sox starters. He has allowed 38 hits and 25 earned runs in six starts (29.2 innings pitched) this season.
While Houck has been horrendous in the first inning of his starts, he has been able to right the ship and get settled in after the first frame during his last two starts.
Tanner Houck in his last two starts:
🔺1st innings: 6 ER (54.00 ERA)
🔺The other 9 innings: 0 ER (0.00 ERA) pic.twitter.com/XmK3oxfh3J— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) April 26, 2025
Instead of having to play catch-up after the first inning of Houck starts, the Red Sox could utilize him in their bullpen, a unit that has a 4 ERA (18th best in the majors).
The scheduled season debut of Lucas Giolito on Wednesday, plus the return of Brayan Bello, means the Red Sox are getting healthier in the rotation as May approaches.
Boston also signed lefty Patrick Sandoval in free agency this offseason. The 28-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list, rehabbing from Tommy John surgery that he received last June. A potential timeline for return has not been made on Sandoval, but he could be an arm to look for in the back half of this season or in 2026.
For Houck, it wouldn’t be the first time pitching out of the bullpen. Back in 2021, he made five appearances and then made 28 relief appearances in 2022, earning eight saves.
A trip to the bullpen could allow Houck to work on some mechanics in fewer innings. While the move would probably not come until Richard Fitts is back from the injured list, the open rotation spot could either be occupied by Fitts or Hunter Dobbins, two Red Sox pitchers who have impressed to start the season.
While Red Sox fans hope Houck can sort out his struggles and get back to his 2024 All-Star form as a starter, it might be smart for Alex Cora to entertain Houck as a bullpen option when Fitts comes back or if Dobbins continues to impress in Worcester.
Not that the move would be permanent, but keeping Houck in a relief position until he can sort out whatever is going on could help both sides.
After Houck was the Red Sox’s most reliable starter last season, it’s disappointing to see his struggles continue into May of this season. When Houck is at his best, he utilizes his sweeper, sinker, splitter, and four-seam fastball to rack up strikeouts.
For now, Houck is scheduled to start Thursday’s game in Toronto, but a move to the bullpen could be looming if he continues to put Boston in tough spots to begin games. If he can sort out his control issues, he’s a valuable arm in the top half of the Red Sox rotation.
The Red Sox are set to begin a three-game series against the AL East rival Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, with Crochet, Giolito, and Houck slated to take the mound up north.
