CHICAGO -- It is likely to be a while before Tanner Houck pitches for the Red Sox again.
The righty was returned from his Minor League rehab assignment on Saturday due to what a source told MLB.com is a recurrence of the right pronator strain that led to him going on the 15-day injured list originally on May 14.
Houck is currently undergoing tests from the team’s medical staff in Boston in an effort to determine why the injury has reoccurred and will remain on the IL until further notice.
Once Houck is cleared to pitch again in games, the clock for another rehab assignment would re-start to 30 days.
The 29-year-old made five rehab appearances from June 18 through July 9, going 1-3 with a 5.74 ERA while pitching 15 2/3 innings in which he walked six and struck out 15.
Houck had a coming-of-age first half in 2024, pitching to a 2.18 ERA in his first 16 starts and making the All-Star team for the first time.
But in his last 23 starts dating back to June 29 of last season, Houck is 2-8 with a 5.75 ERA.
Before Houck was returned from the rehab assignment, there was speculation he could either be moved to the bullpen or even optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
At this point, however, the Red Sox just want to get him healthy again.
The decline in Houck’s performance in addition to his health concerns makes starting pitching even more of a priority for chief baseball officer Craig Breslow heading into the July 31 Trade Deadline.
The Red Sox recently lost Hunter Dobbins for the season due to a right ACL tear. Kutter Crawford, the team’s leader in innings last year, won’t throw a pitch this season due to a right knee issue and then a right wrist injury that occurred off the field.
All-Star ace Garrett Crochet currently leads a rotation that also includes Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello, Walker Buehler and Richard Fitts.
At Worcester, lefty Kyle Harrison -- one of the players acquired in the trade for Rafael Devers -- and righty Cooper Criswell represent depth options if one of the current starters is injured.