Houck (3-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was able to settle down initially after allowing a run in the first inning. However, the Orioles would string together four hits to score three runs in the fifth, handing Houck his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in five starts this season. He could be in store for a move to the bullpen with James Paxton's (hamstring) return looming.

Boston will stick with a six-man rotation through the end of its upcoming road trip, meaning Houck will make at least one more start before manager Alex Cora settles on a decision about a five-man rotation, Molly Burkhardt of MLB.com reports. Houck is tentatively expected to start next Wednesday in Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

Brayan Bello's season debut this week gave the Red Sox six capable starters, each of whom has pitched in the previous six games, with James Paxton's return from a hamstring injury also looming. A tentative plan which would send Houck to the bullpen when everyone was healthy may have changed Thursday, when he threw a seven-inning gem against the Twins. Houck has been one of the team's most consistent starters, going at least five innings in three of four outings and never allowing more than three earned runs. Paxton's most recent rehab appearance came out of the bullpen, which suggests the club is leaning toward a long-relief role for him. That would leave Houck and Nick Pivetta, who starts Friday, battling for the No. 5 starter job.

Houck (3-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was sharp Thursday as he allowed just three runs, including a pair on a Willi Castro home run, through a season-high seven innings as the Red Sox cruised to an 11-5 win. Houck improves to 3-0 with a 4.29 ERA. 1.24 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through his first four starts this season (21 innings). While Boston may still elect to move the 26-year-old right-hander to the bullpen when James Paxton (hamstring) returns, Houck made a solid case to stay in the rotation with his performance Thursday.

Houck is listed as Boston's starting pitcher for Thursday's game versus the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck might eventually be booted from the rotation with Brayan Bello returning from the 15-day injured list Monday and James Paxton (hamstring) not far off from being activated either, but Houck will make at least one more start as the Red Sox use a six-man rotation this week. The right-hander has been effective in his career both as a starter (3.39 ERA) and reliever (2.68 ERA) and holds a 4.50 ERA in three starts this season.

Houck did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over four innings during a 5-3 win over the Angels. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

After retiring the first two batters of the game, Houck allowed three straight to reach with two outs, including a two-run double by Hunter Renfroe. The right-hander ended the first inning by striking out Jake Lamb and was able to work around a few baserunners en route to three scoreless frames before getting pulled. Houck failed to get through the fifth for the first time in three starts, but he did strikeout a season-high six. He currently sports a 15:7 K:BB and a 4.50 ERA.

Houck (2-0) earned the win Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over five innings of work against Detroit. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Houck gave up both runs in the fourth on a double by Phil Maton and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Spencer Torkelson. Outside of that, the right-hander was effective against the not-so-good Detroit lineup, and the outing helped lower his ERA to 4.50 to go with the two wins over his first two starts in 10 innings of work. Assuming no changes to the rotation order, Houck is lined up to face off against the Angels during next weekend's series.

Houck (1-0) yielded three runs on five hits and a walk over five innings Sunday, striking out five and picking up a win over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old righty rolled through four scoreless frames before allowing home runs to Adam Frazier and Cedric Mullins in the fifth. Houck tossed 45 of 70 pitches for strikes, including 10 whiffs on 27 swings. As was the case last season, he mostly relied on the slider but also threw 19 cutters. Houck is lined up to take the mound in Detroit next week.

Houck allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings during Sunday's spring start against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Houck made his third spring start, and it's looking like he'll remain in that role for the beginning of the regular season. Both Brayan Bello (forearm) and James Paxton(hamstring) appear headed for the injured list to begin the campaign, which opens up a spot for Houck and another depth starter. Add in Garrett Whitlock (hip), who will make his spring debut this week, and there should be plenty of openings for Houck to stake his claim to the rotation.

Houck allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings in Tuesday's spring start against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

While the results aren't impressive, Houck faced one batter over the minimum in the first two innings when he registered three of his four strikeouts. Red Sox manager Alex Cora was pleased with the pitcher's second Grapefruit League start, Dawn Klemish of MLB.com reports. "As far as stuff, I saw a lot of swings and misses, and he used a split-change a few times today and kept them off-balance, so that was a good one," Cora said. One goal for the right-hander was to throw more strikes, and Houck threw first-pitch strikes to 11 of 13 batters faced. Houck, who has served in a variety of roles for Boston, was ticketed for a multi-inning relief role in 2023, but injuries to three projected starters make him a rotation possibility to start the season. None of the three starters -- Brayan Bello (forearm), James Paxton (hamstring) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) -- are expected to be out too long.

Houck allowed four walks and struck out two over 1.2 scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Houck, working as a starter, made his spring debut and looked rusty. It was the first game appearance in seven months for the right-hander, who missed the final seven weeks of 2022 with a back issue that eventually required surgery. Houck told Ian Browne of MLB.com that he was "leaving the arm hanging behind" and knows the adjustment he needs to make. Houck is projected to serve in a multi-inning relief role, but the club is stretching him out during the Grapefruit League. He could emerge as a rotation member early on if Garrett Whitlock (hip) and/or Brayan Bello (forearm) are delayed.