The Red Sox transferred Houck (back) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for first baseman Triston Casas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday in a corresponding move. Houck is scheduled to undergo surgery next week to address a disc issue in his back and will miss the rest of the season.

Houck will undergo back surgery next week, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was expected to require surgery to correct a disc issue in his back, and manager Alex Cora confirmed Saturday that the right-hander will undergo a procedure in the coming days. However, Houck is expected to be ready for spring training in 2023. It's not yet clear what role he'll play next season after he saw his fair share of save chances in 2022.

Houck is expected to undergo back surgery, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was shut down Thursday due to continued back soreness, with reports emerging that he might not return this season. If he does indeed undergo surgery, that should rule him out for the remainder of this season and could lead to questions about his durability and effectiveness heading into 2023. He recorded a 3.15 ERA in 60 innings this season, working mostly out of the bullpen. His eight saves still lead the Red Sox, but Garrett Whitlock (six), John Schreiber (five) and/or Matt Barnes (four) could pass him down the stretch.

Houck (back) was shut down from throwing Thursday, and manager Alex Cora isn't sure if the right-hander will return by the end of the season, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, but that session was scratched due to lingering back soreness, and he's now been shut down entirely. It doesn't sound as though the 26-year-old has experienced a setback, but he's clearly not fully recovered from the disc issue that landed him on the injured list nearly a month ago. Even if Houck is able to return this season, he's likely to be out until late September. Garrett Whitlock, John Schreiber and Matt Barnes should continue to split save chances for the Red Sox.

Houck (back) didn't throw live batting practice as scheduled Tuesday due to continued back soreness, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old landed on the shelf Aug. 9 with a disc issue in his back and returned to throwing last week, but the ongoing soreness will prevent him from further ramping up his throwing program. Houck is already eligible to return from the 15-day IL, but he may still be a couple weeks away from rejoining the active roster.

Houck (back) will throw live batting practice at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck has been on the injured list since early August due to a disc issue in his back, but he was cleared to throw off flat ground early last week. The right-hander has made quick progress in his recovery since then, and he'll take another significant step by facing hitters Tuesday. Assuming he feels good afterward, it's possible that the right-hander will be able to begin a rehab assignment soon.

Houck (back) threw off flat ground Tuesday and felt good following the session, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck appears poised to avoid surgery to address the disc injury in his back, something that looked to be a real possibility as recently as last week. He'll start building up in the coming days, and Boston manager Alex Cora hopes the right-hander can pitch by the end of the season.

Houck (back) was diagnosed with a disc issue Tuesday and will return to Boston for a week of treatment, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck will be re-evaluated next Monday before the Red Sox determine his next steps, but at this stage, the right-hander's return from the injured list doesn't look to be imminent. If he responds well to treatment over the next several days, Houck could be back near the end of the month in a best-case scenario, but a return in September seems more likely. The Red Sox should continue to lean on Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber in higher-leverage spots while their preferred closer is sideilned.

Houck (back) will see a spine specialist Monday.

EDGE Analysis

This will be the last in a series of appointments with back specialists for Houck, the Red Sox's closer who was placed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 6. Boston manager Alex Cora believes the club will have a better idea of the right-hander's timetable after the final consultation, and the earliest he can return is Aug. 21. While Houck's unavailable, Garrett Whitlock and John Schreiber have picked up save chances.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the team is still gathering information on Houck's back injury, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was placed on the injured list Tuesday with lower-back inflammation. The pitcher has a couple of appointments with physicians coming up, and the Red Sox will have a better idea about a timeline after Houck has been evaluated.