The Red Sox announced Sunday that Houck has been temporarily shut down with a sore flexor muscle, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck picked up the injury in his first outing for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, when he worked three innings in a loss to Buffalo. The Red Sox believe the injury is only a short-term concern for Houck, who would be the next man up for a spot in the big-league rotation if Boston loses one of its five starters.

Houck was returned to the alternate training site after Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was called up as the 27th man for Sunday's doubleheader and took the loss in the matinee against Chicago. Since the Red Sox don't have an opening in the starting rotation on a more permanent basis, Houck will now return to the team's alternate camp until a role opens up.

Houck (0-2) allowed three runs on six hits and struck out two over 4.1 innings, taking the loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was called up as the 27th man for the doubleheader and started the opener. He barely had time to settle in when Tim Anderson took the first pitch of the game out of the yard. Houck was serviceable after that and was victimized by some timely Chicago hitting. He's lost both of his starts but hasn't pitched poorly. Unfortunately, there are no openings in the rotation nor has any existing starter pitched himself out of a job. That means Houck is expected to head back to the alternate site.

The Red Sox recalled Houck from their alternate site ahead of Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Houck is slated to make his second start of the season in the first game of the twin bill, while Martin Perez takes the hill for Game 2. Boston is appointing Houck as its 27th man for the doubleheader, so he'll likely report back to the alternate site at the conclusion of Sunday's start.

Houck will be recalled from the alternate training site to start Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old was originally a candidate to start Saturday's contest, but Friday's postponement resulted in a shift in the pitching schedule. It figures to be a spot start for Houck, but a strong showing Sunday could go a long way toward him earning more starting chances later this season.

Houck could start Saturday at home against the White Sox, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Monday's postponement in Minnesota shifted the rotation back a day, and there's no rostered starter that will be on schedule to go Saturday. That leaves Houck as the most logical candidate for the start, although manager Alex Cora will wait on a decision. There is rain forecasted for Boston, which could be a factor in pitcher availability Saturday.

Houck may not be able to pitch in Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins, as he threw in an alternate-site game against the Mets on Saturday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The doubleheader could potentially have been an opportunity for Houck -- who struck out eight while allowing just two earned runs over five innings in his first start of the season -- to make another start, but the timing doesn't seem to line up. He was optioned to the alternate site last Wednesday, and he can only return within 10 days either as the extra man for a doubleheader or to replace someone else who landed on the injured list. That means he also won't be able to make a spot start Thursday unless someone gets hurt.

Houck was optioned to Boston's alternate training site Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck recently moved to the bullpen, and he'll now be sent to the team's alternate camp in Worcester. His removal from the main roster will clear room for Eduardo Rodriguez (arm), who is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of his scheduled start Thursday. Houck made two appearances (one start) to begin the year and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out 10 in six innings.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Houck will be available out of the bullpen for Tuesday's game against the Rays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's move to the bullpen foreshadows the likely return of Eduardo Rodriguez (dead arm), who is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list to make a start in this weekend's series with Baltimore. The 24-year-old righty had previously filled Rodriguez's first turn through the rotation last week against the Orioles, taking a loss while covering five innings and giving up two earned runs while striking out eight. The strong outing leaves Houck as the next man up if a rotation spot opens up again at some point, but his stay in the big-league bullpen is expected to be a brief one. Cora intimated that Houck will likely be optioned to Triple-A Worcester at some point in the next few days.

Houck (0-1) picked up the loss Saturday against the Orioles despite striking out eight batters in five innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

Houck struck out a third of the batters he faced in his three-start debut last season and beat that mark Saturday, posting a 36.3 percent strikeout rate. That wasn't enough to help his team to a win, however, as a two-out rally led to a pair of runs in the fourth inning before Anthony Santander singled in another in the fifth. It was an encouraging enough outing overall, but Houck is likely to be sent down soon, with Eduardo Rodriguez (arm) expected to be ready to take his next turn in the rotation.