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.

Houck (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

It was a much better performance than in his season debut, but Houck still had some trouble finding the plate as he issued three free passes for the second straight start, leaving him with a 7:6 K:BB through his first nine innings of 2022. The Red Sox are expecting big things from the 25-year-old, but so far he has yet to flash the dominance he displayed at times as a rookie.

Houck didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 4-3 win against the Yankees, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was tethered to two-run lead before he took the mound but surrendered baserunners in each of the first four innings that came around to score in the third and fourth. Finding the zone was an issue as only 57.7 percent of the 25-year-old's 78 pitches went for strikes, though Houck owns a respectable 1.08 WHIP across 86 innings in his career. The sophomore is looking to build on a strong rookie campaign and will look to get on track Saturday against Minnesota at Fenway.

Houck allowed one run on five hits and struck out four over four innings in Wednesday's spring training game against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

In his third Grapefruit League start, Houck had plenty of run support early and helped himself by not walking anyone. He entered the contest with eight bases on balls over his first five spring innings. Still, he and manager Alex Cora noted improvement is still needed, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The 25-year-old right-hander had a wild pitch and hit two batters, which contributed to a lot of traffic. Cora stressed the need to attack the zone more and made note of mechanics that need to be ironed out. Houck will have one more start to prepare for his regular-season debut, the third game of the season against the Yankees.

Houck allowed three runs on two hits and five walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring training start against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was roughed up in his second Grapefruit League start and has walked eight over five spring innings. Despite the results, Houck did not sound too concerned when speaking with Ian Browne of MLB.com following the game. The right-hander stressed the importance of getting in the work over outcomes, and he developed a plan to work on the issues that led to the results. "Felt good. Obviously out of the stretch, I'm getting a little too rotational," Houck said. "I talked with [pitching coach Dave Bush] about it already. Get back in tomorrow and look at some video and just re-sort things out and make a game plan going forward with it." He's scheduled to start the third game of the regular season, a Sunday night primetime meeting with the Yankees in New York.

Houck allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring-training game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Houck allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Ramon Urias, then walked three and could not get out of the third inning as planned. He described it to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com as knocking off the rust. "You can throw as many (live batting practices) and bullpens as you want but getting in the game situation is definitely a little bit different. First one's out of the way. I felt good. Mixed in all the pitches." Houck, who pitched as both a reliever and starter in 2021, received the news that he will open the season in the starting rotation. The right-hander will likely pitch the third game of the season, April 10, in primetime against the Yankees.