The Red Sox are expected to recall Houck from Triple-A Worcester to start Tuesday's game against the Twins, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

As the only member of the Boston rotation that has minor-league options remaining, Houck has been sent back to Worcester after each of his last five starts with the big club strictly for roster-management purposes. With the Red Sox recently moving Garrett Richards and Martin Perez to the bullpen, Houck's spot in the rotation looks secure at this point, and the rookie should get a temporary reprieve from the repeated demotions after Tuesday's start. Boston's matchup Monday with the Rangers begins a stretch of 17 games in 17 days, which will leave the team with fewer loopholes through which to quickly move Houck on and off the active roster. Over 34.2 innings with the big club this season, the 25-year-old owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 11.9 K/9.

Houck was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old pitched Game 1 of Tuesday's twin bill and took a no-decision after giving up two runs over four innings, and he'll once again be moved off the big-league roster after a start. Houck has made his past six appearances for the Red Sox, but he's bounced between the majors and minors while the team takes advantage of the roster rules to maintain flexibility. He served as the 27th man for Tuesday's doubleheader, so he'll be eligible to rejoin the Red Sox without missing a turn through the rotation. Houck has a 3.12 ERA and 46:7 K:BB across 34.2 innings for Boston this season.

Houck didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing two runs on five hits over four innings as the Red Sox fell, 5-3. He struck out two without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The rookie right-hander didn't pitch poorly and tossed 39 of 58 pitches for strikes before getting a fairly quick hook, but after Houck escaped trouble in the fourth inning of a 2-2 game, Boston manager Alex Cora took no chances and went to his bullpen. Unfortunately the move backfired, as Garrett Whitlock and Josh Taylor combined to cough up three runs in the fifth. Houck may not be done bouncing between the big-league roster and Triple-A, as the Red Sox have scheduled off days coming up Thursday and Monday, but when he does make his next start he'll take a 3.12 ERA and sharp 46:7 K:BB through 34.2 innings to the mound with him.

Houck was recalled as expected ahead of his scheduled start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck keeps getting sent down between his starts, but that's merely a matter of the Red Sox taking advantage of roster construction rules to effectively have a 27-man roster. Houck is clearly an MLB-caliber pitcher, as evidenced by his 2.93 ERA, 34.9 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate across eight outings this season. The main knock on him is that he's averaged less than four innings per appearance, which has prevented him from earning a win, but he's been remarkable on a per-inning basis. Given that he's merely up as the extra man for the doubleheader, it's possible he gets demoted yet again following his start, but he hasn't pitched in the minors in over a month and is unlikely to do so any time soon.

Houck will return from Triple-A Worcester to start one game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's hardly a surprise, as the young right-hander was once again demoted after his last start Thursday, which has now happened after each of his past three big-league starts while he remains a regular piece of the rotation. Houck figures to return to the minors again after starting in the twin bill as the Red Sox are likely to continue taking advantage of the roster rules. The 25-year-old has a 2.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB in 30.2 innings over eight major-league appearances this season.

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.