TANNER HOUCK NEWS

Handed loss despite eight whiffs Houck (0-1) picked up the loss Saturday against the Orioles despite striking out eight batters in five innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk.

Impact Houck struck out a third of the batters he faced in his three-start debut last season and beat that mark Saturday, posting a 36.3 percent strikeout rate. That wasn't enough to help his team to a win, however, as a two-out rally led to a pair of runs in the fourth inning before Anthony Santander singled in another in the fifth. It was an encouraging enough outing overall, but Houck is likely to be sent down soon, with Eduardo Rodriguez (arm) expected to be ready to take his next turn in the rotation.

APRIL 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Despite the loss to the Orioles, starter Tanner Houck provided the Red Sox a glimmer of hope - The Boston Globe His eight strikeouts in five innings was reminiscent of the strong impression he made at the end of last year.

APRIL 3, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Tanner Houck's Mom Finally Scored One Of His MLB Starts In Person Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck's mom always keeps her own scorebook when he starts. She finally got to do it in person at Fenway Park.

APRIL 3, 2021 • NESN.COM

Harvey, Orioles beat Boston 4-2 for 2nd straight win

Maikel Franco drove in two runs after another Boston error, Pedro Severino had his second two-hit game in a row and Matt Harvey made his Orioles debut in Baltimore’s 4-2 victory ov...

APRIL 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Tanner Houck strikes out 8, but sloppy Red Sox fall again to Orioles Tanner Houck had a strong outing in his 2021 debut, but it was wasted in the Red Sox’ 4-2 loss to the O’s.

APRIL 3, 2021 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Tanner Houck Strikes Out Anthony Santander With Chris Sale-Like Slider Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck struck out Anthony Santander on Saturday with a pitch that looked like it came straight from Chris Sale.

APRIL 3, 2021 • NESN.COM

Could be one and done Houck will head back to Triple-A Worcester once Eduardo Rodriguez (arm) is ready to return to the active roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact Houck will take Rodriguez's turn through the rotation Saturday, but it could be his only start. Rodriguez threw three innings in a simulated game Friday and is talking about returning April 8. Even if it takes longer to return, manager Alex Cora has no plans to go with a six-man rotation, which would include Houck. "We're pitching him tomorrow, then obviously the circumstances will dictate what happens with him in the future. Just give him the ball [Saturday], go five or six (innings), do the things he did in the last (spring training outing) and we'll be happy with that," the manager said. In Houck's final start of spring training, he allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.1 scoreless innings against Atlanta.

APRIL 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Orioles' Means means business in opener, beats Red Sox 3-0

John Means pitched seven innings of one-hit ball, retiring the last 18 batters he faced to lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 3-0 victory over the Red Sox in their rain-delayed opener

APRIL 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

In line for Saturday start Houck appears to be lined up to start the second game of the season Saturday against Baltimore, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact Houck was optioned in mid-March, but the Red Sox may need a spot starter right away as Eduardo Rodriguez has been held back by arm fatigue. The team hasn't made a final decision about whether or not Rodriguez will open the year on the injured list, but they seem to be leaning that way. Houck makes for an interesting streaming option given that he'll be facing a weak offense and showed plenty of potential in his three-start debut last year, striking out 21 batters in 17 innings while allowing just one earned run.

MARCH 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Shines against Atlanta Houck allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six over 4.1 scoreless innings in Monday's spring game against Atlanta.

Impact Houck, who was optioned to minor-league camp two weeks ago, may have been motivated by the news that he could open the regular season in Boston's rotation. He's had encouraging outings, like Monday's, along with a pair of walk-fests in which he permitted nine free passes in 3.1 innings. Those command issues led to his demotion, but circumstances have changed for the young right-hander. Eduardo Rodriguez's dead arm scratched him from an Opening Day nod while projected starter Garrett Richards and swingman Matt Andriese were quarantining. Now that Matt Barnes' positive result for COVID has been deemed a false positive, both Richards and Andriese are back with the team. If Richards is ready to go for his projected start Saturday, the possibility exists that Houck could take Rodriguez's first turn through the rotation.

MARCH 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rizzo ends talks; Odor getting cut; restrictions to loosen

Anthony Rizzo is cutting off talks with the Chicago Cubs on a new contract and is prepared to play the season as free agency looms after the World Series

MARCH 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could make season-opening rotation Houck remains in contention to open the season as a member of the Red Sox rotation, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact Houck appeared set to begin the season in the minors after he was optioned March 17, but the complexion of Boston's rotation has changed dramatically since then. Eduardo Rodriguez is working through a dead-arm phase that will prevent him from being available for Boston's season-opening series with the Orioles this weekend, while projected No. 3 starter Garrett Richards' status is uncertain while he's believed to be away from the team due to COVID-19-related concerns. Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez are scheduled to start two of the Red Sox's three games with Baltimore, but Houck -- who is pitching in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta -- is tentatively lined up to start Saturday versus the Orioles.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to alternate site Houck was optioned to Boston's alternate training site Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Houck was competing for a back-end rotation spot during spring training, but manager Alex Cora named his five-man rotation Tuesday. Houck wasn't included among the starters, and he should begin the year with Triple-A Worcester. The right-hander made three appearances (one start) this spring and allowed six runs on six hits and 10 walks while striking out four over 6.1 innings.

MARCH 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Command issues come back Houck allowed three runs on three hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out one over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Houck's mission was to pound the strike zone as he did in his second spring start, but he walked two batters and hit one in the first inning. He's sandwiched two shaky, command-challenged outings around a dominant start in Grapefruit League play. The right-hander has permitted 10 walks and hit a batter over 6.1 innings. Boston manager Alex Cora named his five-man rotation Tuesday, and Houck will not be part of it. He will likely start at Triple-A Worcester and work through the wildness.

MARCH 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lindor, Mets talk about new deal; Rosario struggles in CF

Just over two weeks before opening day, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have begun talking about keeping him in town beyond this year

MARCH 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Red Sox’ Tanner Houck struggles with command again, but feels better about splitter The Red Sox are taking their time with Tanner Houck, and it’s clear why after three appearances this spring.

MARCH 16, 2021 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Bounces back Wednesday Houck allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring game against Atlanta.

Impact Houck was overpowering Wednesday, a complete reversal of his first Grapefruit League outing, in which he walked five and retired just two batters. His fastball routinely hit 96-97 mph on the radar, per Ian Browne of MLB.com, well above the 92 he showed last season. "I saw him pitch last year, and I noticed he was 92, 93," manager Alex Cora said. "With his movement, I thought that was good enough. But now, you see 96, 97, it's eye-opening." Throwing strikes consistently and attacking the zone will be the mission going forward for Houck, who is expected to start the season at Triple-A Worcester.

MARCH 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wild outing Thursday Houck allowed three runs on two hits and five walks over two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's spring game against Baltimore.

Impact Houck, who made three promising starts at the end of 2020, is expected to open the season in the minors, but that didn't diminish the anticipation for his spring debut. Unfortunately, he was unable to lock into his delivery and was all over the place. The right-hander still has enough time in camp to make a push for a spot in the big-league rotation, but keeping his crossfire delivery in sync might always be something of a challenge.

MARCH 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Likely ticketed for Triple-A Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said Houck still needs to develop his splitter, which he introduced as a third pitch last season, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. "If he's g...

Impact Houck dazzled in a three-start stint late last season, but Bush's comments suggest the right-hander will open the season at Triple-A Worcester. He threw a handful of splitters during his starts in 2020, relying heavily on the fastball-slider mix, so it makes sense for Boston to have him work on the third pitch in the minors.

FEBRUARY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Logging each pitch her son threw, Tanner Houck and his mom reach majors together In tough times, Jennifer Houck taught her kids - including the 2017 first rounder - to "Put on your big-girl panties and say, ‘Let’s go.'"

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

No lock for rotation Houck is not guaranteed a starting role to begin the 2021 season, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.

Impact Houck was excellent to close the 2020 season in his big-league debut, as he allowed only one earned run across 17 innings in three starts. Despite that, he won't be guaranteed a spot in the rotation immediately for the 2021 campaign and instead will compete for the role with Martin Perez, Nick Pivetta, Matt Andriese and Garrett Whitlock.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox News: Chris Sale impressed with young righty Tanner Houck Red Sox Chris Sale held a presser with the media this morning "He went out and did the damn thing," is what Red Sox ace Chris Sale had to sa...

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM

Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck hopes hard work earns him a roster spot - The Boston Globe Houck is working this offseason with a renowned baseball trainer and surrounding himself with elite competition.

DECEMBER 25, 2020 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Tanner Houck’s slider could be MLB’s next great pitch Young prospect Tanner Houck flashed his brilliance on the mound for an otherwise dismal Boston Red Sox pitching staff in 2020. The Boston Re...

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • FANSIDED.COM

Two Red Sox almost Rookies of the Year – Bobby Dalbec, Tanner Houck Two Red Sox rookie successes could challenge for ROY in 2021. The Boston Red Sox 60-game adventure was not a pleasant journey as the team fi...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM