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.

Houck allowed an unearned run on two hits and two walks while striking out eight across 4.2 innings Thursday against the Yankees. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Houck mowed through the Yankees' lineup with little problem, racking up 19 called strikes and 10 swinging strikes across 87 total pitches. His outing was interrupted by a rain delay, though it's not clear how much deeper into the game he would have been allowed to work given his substantial pitch count. The outing was also Houck's longest of the season, and he could ultimately take the place of either Garrett Richards or Martin Perez in the rotation before season's end.

Houck will start Thursday's game against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was initially slated to start Wednesday's series finale against the Blue Jays, but Garrett Richards will now take the mound after Tuesday's contest was postponed. However, the young right-hander will make his third big-league start of the year Thursday. Across four appearances (two starts) this season, he's posted a 3.38 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 13.1 innings.

Houck won't start Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The young righty was expected to start Wednesday's series finale, but Garrett Richards will instead take the mound after Tuesday's contest was postponed. Houck should start again at some point for the Red Sox this season, though for now it appears he'll continue working out of the bullpen.

Houck earned a save in Friday's 4-0 win over the Yankees, pitching three scoreless innings. He allowed one hit and a walk while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander dealt with a sore right flexor muscle at Triple-A Worcester for a month, but he worked as a starter prior to his call-up. Houck previously made three appearances (two starts) with the Red Sox in April, but it's expected he'll take on a versatile role while with the big club. The 25-year-old is tentatively scheduled to start Wednesday versus the Blue Jays. He has a 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB across 13.1 major-league innings this year.

Houck will likely start Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Alex Cora said that Houck will be available out of the bullpen for the team's current series against the Yankees, but he'll likely start on the road Wednesday. He'll likely return to the bullpen after the start as the Red Sox plan to utilize him in a versatile role, but the right-hander's availability as a starter certainly boosts his fantasy value going forward.