Houck was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, though he's expected to return to pitch Tuesday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox have taken advantage of the league's roster rules to effectively use a 27-man roster in recent weeks, as Houck has now been optioned after each of his last three big-league starts but returned each time without making a minor-league appearance. He gave up a career-high four runs (three earned) in five innings in his latest outing Thursday against the Rays and was saddled with the loss, though it was far from a terrible performance, as he struck out eight batters while walking none. Alex Verdugo returned from the restricted list in a corresponding move.

Houck was recalled as expected ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's last four outings have all come at the big-league level, though he's been optioned and recalled twice during that stretch as the Red Sox take advantage of roster rules to effectively carry an extra player. Houck has been far too good in his limited MLB sample to deserve a demotion under normal circumstances, as he's cruised to a well-supported 2.45 ERA in 25.2 innings, striking out 36 while walking just seven. Phillips Valdez was optioned in a corresponding move.

The Red Sox are expected to recall Houck from Triple-A Worcester to start Thursday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Boston hasn't officially announced that Houck will slot back into the rotation for the series finale, but there's little doubt the team is keeping a spot open for the rookie after manager Alex Cora announced Wednesday that Garrett Richards would transition to a bullpen role moving forward. Though the Red Sox have taken advantage of Houck having minor-league options remaining by swapping him to and from the active roster based on their schedule, the constant movement from Worcester to Boston hasn't phased the right-hander. Through his seven outings (five starts) with the Red Sox this season, Houck has submitted a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 36:7 K:BB in 25.2 innings.

Houck was returned to Triple-A Worcester following Saturday's game in Toronto, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader, Houck was removed from the active roster following his start. High pitch counts aside, Houck has undoubtedly been one of Boston's most effective starting pitchers since the All-Star break, so he figures to pitch again on regular rest for the scuffling Red Sox.

Houck allowed one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 3.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Houck struck out four of the first five batters he faced Saturday night, but he was bedeviled by a pitch count that got up to 74 through 3.2 innings. The only damage against his line came when Josh Taylor entered the game and gave up a single to Breyvic Valera that cashed one of Houck's runners. Even though the former Missouri Tiger has not gone deeper than the fifth in any of his five starts this season, he has struck out six or more batters in four of those five appearances. With Martin Perez's recent move to the bullpen and the struggles of Garrett Richards, Houck could feasibly stick around in the Boston rotation if he continues to pile up the punchouts. He could just as easily be jettisoned back to Triple-A Worcester to make room for a fresh arm after Saturday's doubleheader. Either way, his performances of late have given manager Alex Cora and crew a lot to think about.

Houck was recalled by the Red Sox ahead of his scheduled start in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck will be up as merely the 27th man for the twin bill, so it's possible he returns to the minors at the end of the day. His last three outings have all come at the big-league level, however, and he's allowed just one earned run in 11.2 innings while striking out 18 batters over that stretch, so the Red Sox have plenty of reason to keep him around.

Manager Alex Cora said that Houck -- who was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday -- will be recalled next week to start one game of an Aug. 7 doubleheader in Toronto, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora acknowledged that the decision to demote Houck was strictly for the purposes of roster flexibility, as an upcoming off day will allow Boston to get by with a five-man rotation until the doubleheader contest. Houck made his fourth start of the season with the big club Wednesday, which also came during a doubleheader game with the Blue Jays. He limited Toronto to one run over four frames in a no-decision, lowering his ERA to 2.45 over 22 innings on the campaign.

The Red Sox optioned Houck to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Following Wednesday's doubleheader, Boston needed to reduce its roster from 27 to 26 men for Thursday's series finale with Toronto, and Houck was the surprising casualty. After starting the second game of the twin bill and striking out seven over four innings of one-run ball, Houck's ERA now sits at 2.45 over 22 frames on the season. Since he's seemingly established himself as one of Boston's most-trusted staters, his demotion may have been strictly for roster-management purposes. Due to an off day Aug. 2, the Red Sox can get by with a four-man rotation until Aug. 7 in Toronto, when Houck will presumably be called up from Worcester to start one of the two doubleheader games scheduled for that day.

Houck allowed one run on two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts across four innings in Wednesday's no-decision against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Houck wasn't able to provide the Red Sox with much length due to his relatively high pitch count, but he limited Toronto's potent lineup to a Bo Bichette RBI single in the fourth inning. The 25-year-old Houck boasts an 18:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings in three July starts and is making a push to remain in Boston's rotation going forward. He boasts a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 22 major-league innings overall this season.

Houck will remain in the Red Sox rotation and make his next start Wednesday against the Blue Jays in Boston, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

At least for one more week, manager Alex Cora will stick with a six-man rotation that includes the rookie, who returned from Triple-A Pawtucket to make his third start of the season July 22. Though a mid-game rain shower resulted in Houck getting pulled after 4.2 innings, he kept the Yankees bats quiet during his time on the mound, allowing just one unearned run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight. Over 18 frames with the big club on the season, Houck owns a 2.50 ERA (1.98 FIP) and an impressive 22.6 K-BB%. The 25-year-old may have a tough time continuing to produce at that level, but even if some regression sets in, he could be an upgrade over Garrett Richards and Martin Perez at the back end of Boston's rotation.