Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Houck is likely to be used in a piggyback arrangement when Rich Hill's next turn in the rotation comes up Thursday against the Angels, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

After Houck was reinstated from the restricted list April 29, he was used behind Hill in the latter's most recent start in Baltimore later that same day. The pairing bore favorable results, as Houck struck out four over three scoreless frames en route to picking up the win after Hill turned in four scoreless innings before him. Cora indicated that he plans to see how the Hill/Houck pair plays out this time around before reassessing whether to add Houck back to the rotation next week in a traditional starting role or to keep him on hand in the bullpen. If the Red Sox do decide to reintegrate Houck into the rotation, Garrett Whitlock would likely head back to the bullpen and serve as a versatile multi-inning arm.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Houck will continue to pitch out of the bullpen for now, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's last two appearances came out of the bullpen to work around his placement on the restricted list, and he struck out six in 4.2 scoreless innings. Garrett Whitlock has impressed this season, so he'll draw the start Wednesday against the Angels. However, Cora didn't commit to Whitlock as a long-term starter, so it's certainly possible Houck rejoins the rotation at some point.

Houck (2-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out four over three scoreless innings in a 3-1 victory over Baltimore.

EDGE Analysis

A well-rested Houck piggy-backed on top of starter Rich Hill, who threw four perfect innings before giving up a hit to the first batter faced in the fifth and was removed with Boston holding a 3-0 lead. Houck, whose unvaccinated status caused him to miss two starts, is expected to slip back into the rotation during the series against the Angels next week. With a day off coming, the right-hander's fifth day will be Wednesday.

Houck (personal) was activated from the restricted list and will pitch behind Rich Hill in a piggyback role Friday at Baltimore, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old is back on the active roster as expected Friday after being unable to travel for the four-game set in Toronto this week due to his status as an unvaccinated player. Houck won't immediately rejoin the starting rotation and will instead follow the veteran lefty Hill, who has yet to reach five innings or 80 pitches in an outing this season. Houck has performed well over his first four outings (three starts) of the campaign with a 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 13:7 K:BB over 15.2 frames.

Houck (personal) will serve in a piggyback role behind Rich Hill during Friday's game against the Orioles, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck also served as a reliever Sunday against the Rays and struck out two in 1.2 perfect innings. While he'll pitch out of the bullpen once again Friday, it wouldn't be surprising to see him rejoin the rotation sometime next week. Houck remains on the restricted list ahead of the Red Sox's series finale in Toronto on Thursday, but he'll be officially reinstated Friday when the team returns to the United States.

Houck (personal) isn't listed as a starter during Boston's weekend series against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck is unvaccinated and was ineligible to pitch during the team's road trip to Toronto, and he won't start in any of the first three games after the Red Sox return to the United States. If the right-hander doesn't serve in a piggyback role against the Orioles, he'll likely draw a start against the Angels next week.

Houck was placed on the restricted list as expected Monday ahead of Boston's four-game series in Toronto, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck is unable to cross the border into Canada due to his decision not to vaccinate himself against COVID-19. Garrett Whitlock will make a spot start in his place Thursday, with Houck lining up to start during the weekend series against the Orioles.

Houck came on in relief and struck out two over 1.2 perfect innings in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Even though Houck tossed five innings in his third start of the season just two days earlier, the Red Sox made him available out of the bullpen Sunday in anticipation of the right-hander not being available for the team's four-game series in Toronto that begins Monday. Because Houck has confirmed that he's unvaccinated, he isn't eligible to cross the border into Canada and will be placed on the restricted list in advance of the four-game series. The Red Sox are expected to turn to Garrett Whitlock to make a spot start the next time Houck's turn in the rotation comes up Thursday, while the latter will have at least four days to rest up before potentially making his next start in Baltimore next weekend.

Houck (1-1) took the loss after giving up two runs on three hits across five innings during Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Blue Jays. He struck out four and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

Houck tossed another solid game, but he took his first loss of the season after allowing two runs to the middle of Toronto's order in the top of the third inning. Over his last two appearances, the 25-year-old has allowed just two runs across 10.2 innings, but his 8:7 K:BB isn't nearly as appealing. He also is unavailable to pitch in Toronto, which means his next start isn't scheduled until Saturday, April 30 in Baltimore. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe speculates that Garrett Whitlock, who tossed 2.1 scoreless innings behind Houck in the latter's most recent start Saturday against the Twins, could be stretched out enough to fill the temporary opening in the rotation while Boston is in Toronto next week.

Houck disclosed to the media Sunday that he's unvaccinated against COVID-19, meaning he won't be eligible to pitch during the Red Sox's upcoming series in Toronto that runs from April 25 through 28, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports. "I'm definitely bummed that I won't be able to make that start," said Houck, who would have been in line to take the hill for the April 26 game. "But the starts that I am able to make, I plan on giving 100 percent for this team, if not more, so."

EDGE Analysis

Houck didn't suggest that he planned on changing his stance on vaccination prior to the series in Toronto, and manager Alex Cora confirmed that the right-handed pitcher is one of multiple players who will be absent for the four-game set due to the vaccine mandate in place in Canada, per Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe speculates that Garrett Whitlock, who tossed 2.1 scoreless innings behind Houck in the latter's most recent start Saturday against the Twins, could be stretched out enough to fill the temporary opening in the rotation in Toronto. Before missing the Toronto series, Houck tentatively lines up to make his next turn Thursday versus the Blue Jays in Boston.