The Red Sox announced Monday that Houck (elbow) underwent a successful hybrid reconstruction of his right UCL with a flexor tendon repair, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The operation officially ends a disappointing season for Houck, who held a an 8.09 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43.2 innings with the Red Sox before going down with an elbow issue in mid-May and eventually having a setback that required surgery. Houck is hoping to return to action for the Red Sox toward the end of the 2026 season, but that's far from a guarantee.

Houck (elbow) confirmed Sunday that he will undergo Tommy John surgery around mid-week and said that he's hopeful to resume pitching by the end of the 2026 season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. "I know the minimum [recovery time from surgery] is probably around the 12-month mark, 12 to the 14-month mark. With that being said, if everything goes right, 12 months from now, plan on being back out there, running out to the mound at Fenway," Houck said. "But you also got to do it the smart way, the correct way...But I'm gonna do everything in my power to get back out there at this time next year and be essentially a trade deadline piece, come back and help in 2026."

EDGE Analysis

According to Smith, Houck noted that he and his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, haven't yet discussed whether a late-2026 return is realistic, so the right-hander's tune could change depending on how his surgery goes. Even if Houck meets his goal, he probably won't be available for the big club until September of next season in a best-case scenario, and would likely be working out of the bullpen. Before landing on the shelf May 14 with a right flexor pronator strain, Houck struggled over his nine starts with Boston, logging an 8.09 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43.2 innings. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment June 18 but was shut down shortly before the All-Star break after a follow-up MRI revealed "significantly worse" damage to his elbow that ultimately prompted Houck's decision to get surgery.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck has been on the injured list since May with a right elbow strain, and after suffering a setback during his final rehab start, he'll now elect to go under the knife to address the issue. The right-hander will close the book on 2025 with an 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 43.2 innings, and because his procedure will happen so late in the season, he likely won't be ready to return to a big-league mound until 2027.

Houck (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Houck is eligible to be activated from the injured list at any time and appeared to be nearing a return. However, he was shut down indefinitely July 21 after suffering a setback, so there is no clear timeline for his return. The move makes room for Dustin May on the Red Sox's 40-man roster.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Monday that Houck is shut down indefinitely following a recurrence of right flexor soreness, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora does not anticipate Houck requiring surgery, but he said the pitcher will "go to step one" once he resumes throwing. It puts Houck's return this season at risk. The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-May.

Houck was returned from his minor-league rehab assignment Saturday due to a recurrence of a right pronator strain, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was first diagnosed with a right pronator strain in mid-May, and he subsequently landed on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander kicked off a minor-league rehab stint about a month later and pitched in five games, posting a 5.74 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB over 15.2 innings between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. There had been optimism that Houck was close to being activated, but the setback means he'll likely be out for another significant chunk of time.

The Red Sox returned Houck (elbow) from his rehab assignment Friday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Although Houck's 30-day rehab window is now closed, the fact that Boston has yet to activate him indicates he isn't quite ready to return. The 29-year-old righty posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 15.2 innings during his five-start assignment, though he gave up only one run in his final two outings (9.1 IP). He also owns a hefty 8.04 ERA through 43.2 frames in the majors this year, so there's no guarantee he'll have a place in the Sox's rotation whenever he is activated.

The Red Sox need to make a decision this week about Houck (elbow), whose 30-day rehab assignment comes to an end Thursday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's rehab stint got off to a rocky start, but his last two outings have been much better. Still, the right-hander is not expected to be inserted into Boston's starting rotation, with Richard Fitts getting first crack at the vacancy created by Hunter Dobbins' season-ending knee injury. Houck still has minor-league options and could join Triple-A Worcester while continuing on a starter's trajectory. Boston also hasn't ruled out bringing him back as a member of the big-league bullpen.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that he hasn't talked with Houck (elbow) about what his role will be once he returns from the injured list, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox recalled Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday to compensate for the loss of Hunter Dobbins (knee). Cora said Fitts will claim the open starting job in the rotation and couldn't commit to giving Houck, who is nearing a return from an elbow strain, a rotation spot once he's healthy. The skipper's hesitance is justified, as the right-hander owns a hefty 8.04 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through nine starts, and it could signal a possible move for Houck to the bullpen or Triple-A Worcester in the near future.

Houck (elbow) struck out six batters and allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester.

EDGE Analysis

Making the fifth start of his rehab assignment and his fourth at the Triple-A level, Houck tossed 76 pitches (47 strikes) and induced 12 swings and misses. With the All-Star break on tap and his 30-day rehab window coming to a close next week, Houck's minor-league assignment has come to an end. The right-hander accrued a 5.74 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB in 15.2 innings during his five starts in the minors, and the Red Sox will now have to decide if they want to open a spot for him in the rotation or have him work out of the bullpen. Boston could view Houck as an upgrade at the back end of the rotation over Walker Buehler, who has turned in just one quality start over his last nine outings heading into Thursday.