Red Sox Pitcher Set to Begin Rehab Assignment

Houck underwent a hybrid reconstruction of his right ulnar collateral ligament and a flexor tendon repair in August 2025 after dealing with significant elbow problems.

The lengthy rehabilitation has kept him off the mound for more than a year, making the upcoming assignment an important test as Boston evaluates how his arm responds to game conditions.

The 30-year-old has experience as a dependable member of Boston’s rotation when healthy. He earned an All-Star selection in 2024 after posting a 3.12 ERA across 30 starts.

Houck struggled during his abbreviated 2025 campaign, posting an 8.04 ERA over nine appearances before his elbow issues ultimately required surgery. The Red Sox have therefore taken a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.

His return could still give Boston an intriguing option for the final weeks of the season if he progresses without setbacks. Whether that means a rotation role, bullpen work or simply building toward 2027 will depend on how his rehab outings develop.

The Red Sox entered Thursday with a 75-65 record and sat third in the American League East, 8.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston remains in the postseason picture, making Houck’s progress particularly interesting as the regular season winds down.

For now, the focus will be on getting Houck through his first rehab appearances. After spending the entire season working toward this moment, the right-hander is finally approaching his return to competitive baseball.

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