With the Red Sox to open with Austin Davis on Sunday, Houck is expected to follow as the bulk-inning pitcher, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck hasn't pitched since last Sunday, so he has plenty of bullets to expend. The reasoning behind starting Davis over Houck was not made clear by manager Alex Cora, who would only confirm that Houck is healthy.

Houck (2-3) was charged with the loss Sunday against the White Sox after surrendering three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and zero walks over 2.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old was pressed into starting duty with Michael Wacha (side) a late scratch, and he was pitching on two days' rest after throwing 56 pitches Thursday. Manager Alex Cora recently indicated that Houck would be working out of the bullpen for the foreseeable future, but Houck could move back into the rotation with Wacha on the 15-day injured list and Rich Hill (illness) on the COVID-19 IL.

Houck is listed as the Red Sox's starting pitcher for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

On Saturday, manager Alex Cora confirmed that Houck would remain in the bullpen for the foreseeable future with Garrett Whitlock having earned a spot in the rotation, but the team will be forced to adjust its plans just one day later after Sunday's scheduled starter, Michael Wacha, was scratched due to side soreness. An MRI on Wacha's side returned clean, and while the Red Sox are optimistic he won't require a trip to the injured list, Houck will be summoned from the bullpen to make a spot start in his stead. Don't expect Houck to work deep into Sunday's outing, as he'll be pitching on only two days' rest after he piggybacked Rich Hill in Thursday's loss to the Angels and gave up seven runs across 2.1 innings (56 pitches) in that long-relief appearance.

Houck will remain in the bullpen for the foreseeable future, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck made three starts to open the year before shifting to the bullpen for his next three appearances. With Rich Hill out after testing positive for COVID-19, there's a path for Houck to return to the rotation, but that job will go to Garrett Whitlock instead. Houck has fallen far short of the standards he set last season, with his ERA rising from 3.52 to 5.14, and his underlying numbers have taken similarly large steps back across the board. If he sorts things out in a multi-inning relief role, it's certainly possible he'll return to the rotation before too long, but his fantasy appeal will be greatly diminished until that happens.

Houck (2-2) picked up the loss Thursday, allowing seven runs on five hits, one walk and a hit batsman while striking out four over 2.1 innings against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's second turn as a piggyback pitcher behind Rich Hill did not go as well as his first. After Hill's five scoreless innings, Houck allowed a two-run home run to Jared Walsh in the seventh inning then was raked for five runs in the eighth. It's unclear what the next step is for Houck, who opened the season in the rotation but pitched in relief since missing a turn in Toronto due to his unvaccinated status. What is becoming clear is that Boston can't afford to leave Garrett Whitlock in the rotation -- he's much more valuable in the bullpen, which is seriously underperforming (4.50 ERA, 25th) -- so Houck could return to the rotation as a traditional starter.

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.