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.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck will make another rehab start in the minors this week, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck turned in the best performance of his rehab assignment so far Friday at Double-A Portland, firing five shutout innings while striking out four batters. The upcoming All-Star break makes it hard to predict when the 29-year-old right-hander will rejoin the Red Sox, though he likely isn't too far away from activation.

Houck (elbow) is scheduled to make his next rehab start with Double-A Portland on Friday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander labored through his first three rehab appearances at Triple-A Worcester, giving up a combined 12 hits (two home runs), four walks and nine earned runs over 6.1 innings. Houck will bump down a level for his fourth rehab outing, but as long as he's able to build on the 65 pitches and 3.2 innings he covered during his most recent start with Worcester, he could be cleared to rejoin the Red Sox rotation next week.

Houck (elbow) allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 3.2 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was the third consecutive shaky rehab outing for Houck, who left a lot of pitches in the middle of the zone, per Red Sox manager Alex Cora. His command was iffy, too, as he threw 42 of 65 pitches (64.6 percent) for strikes. Houck's 12.79 ERA during three rehab outings is higher than the 8.04 ERA had in nine starts with Boston earlier this season.

Houck (elbow) is scheduled to make his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Houck will work behind an opening pitcher Sunday, though the skipper was careful to note that the right-hander isn't being considered for a move to the bullpen and is expected to re-enter the rotation once he's activated from the 15-day injured list. The decision to use Houck behind an opener Sunday comes after he struggled in both of his first two rehab starts with Worcester, covering 2.2 innings between those outings while allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks. Houck built up to 49 pitches in his most recent start Tuesday, so he'll likely need to complete an additional rehab appearance after Sunday before he's stretched out enough to slot back into the big-league rotation. When Houck is ready to return from the IL, the Red Sox could expand the rotation to six men, or Boston could keep a five-man setup in place by optioning rookie Richard Fitts to Triple-A or sending struggling right-hander Walker Buehler to the bullpen.

Houck (elbow) allowed one run on two hits and one walk over one-plus innings for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Houck worked around a couple of singles for a scoreless first inning and was removed after walking the first batter faced in the second. He threw 32 pitches (18 strikes), and the short pitch count appears to have been by design. Houck told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com that he was pain-free. He said his next rehab start will come Tuesday for the WooSox and that he'll then make a third the following Sunday.

Houck (elbow) is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Wednesday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck threw a couple bullpen sessions this week and has been sidelined since throwing 69 pitches across 2.1 innings in a May 12 start against the Tigers. Prior to the injury, Houck (0-3) had been roughed up across nine starts, notching an 8.04 ERA and 32:17 K:BB while surrendering 10 home runs across 43.2 innings of work.