BOSTON -- The official end to Tanner Houck’s season came on Saturday as his teammates prepared to face off against the Houston Astros, when his manager announced that the right-hander would undergo Tommy John surgery.
“Tanner’s going to have Tommy John surgery,” said Alex Cora in his pregame press conference. “He went to see Dr. Meister there in Texas and that was the recommendation.”
A right flexor pronator strain landed the right-hander on the injured list in mid-May, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL two days ago following a failed rehab assignment.
After a solid 2024 campaign where he finished seventh in the American League with a 3.12 ERA in 30 starts, Houck struggled out of the gate this season, going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in nine starts.
The Boston hurler was able to muster just five rehab appearances between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester in his initial comeback attempt, with activities coming to a halt at the All-Star break.
Cora did not have a definitive date for the surgery nor a timetable for Houck to return, but he was confident the 29-year-old will do everything he can to come back in great shape.
“Tough year for him, tough year for us,” Cora said. "But he’ll kill the rehab, he’ll do his job, and when he comes back, he’s going to be OK.”
Houck is the latest Red Sox starting pitcher to suffer a season-ending injury recently, joining Hunter Dobbins (torn right ACL) and Kutter Crawford (right wrist surgery).