Houck allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was cleared to start for the first time in two weeks following a bout of right shoulder fatigue, but the Red Sox elected to treat him with caution and pull him after 60 pitches despite an effective performance. The right-hander had good control in throwing 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, and he yielded just a second-inning run. If he came out of the outing without any setbacks, Houck could have a longer leash in his next start, which lines up to come in Toronto next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that Houck (shoulder) will start Wednesday against the Rays, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander will be making his first start since Sept. 4 after he had been dealing with fatigue in his right shoulder. Before his recent absence, Houck had gone 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:21 K:BB in 52.2 innings in nine starts since the All-Star break.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that there's a "big chance" Houck (shoulder) will start Wednesday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old was scratched from his scheduled start Friday versus the Yankees after receiving extra rest between outings in order to combat a "dead arm" phase, but he's now on the cusp of making his first start since Sept. 5. Assuming Houck pitches Tuesday as indicated by Cora, the right-hander could have some workload limitations while making his first start in two weeks.

Houck (arm) was scratched from his scheduled start Friday versus the Yankees due to right shoulder fatigue, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was scheduled to pitch Friday on eight days of rest in order to combat what manager Alex Cora labeled a "dead arm" phase, but it appears the 28-year-old righty will need even more time between starts. Richard Fitts will fill in as Houck's replacement on the mound Friday.

Houck (arm) is listed as Friday's starter against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Alex Cora noted Tuesday that Houck had been going through a "dead arm" phase that resulted in his start getting pushed back. The right-hander will end up getting eight days between starts. He is 0-2 with a 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 29.2 innings over his last five starts. Houck has logged at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Houck (arm) remains tentatively lined up to make his next start Friday against the Yankees, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora also provided more specifics on what caused Houck to be pushed back, noting that the pitcher is basically going through a "dead arm" phase during which he had trouble bouncing back from his last outing. It sounds like Houck starting Friday in the Bronx isn't set in stone, so his fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place, if possible.

Houck isn't expected to make his next start until Friday against the Yankees in New York after manager Alex Cora said Saturday that the right-hander will be pushed to the back of the Red Sox's pitching schedule, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox want to build in some more rest for Houck in advance of his next start while the 28-year-old has largely struggled since the All-Star break. In his nine outings in the second half, Houck has turned in four quality starts while pitching to a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:21 K:BB over 52.2 innings. In order to facilitate the extended break for Houck, the Red Sox will call up a pitcher from the minors to start Sunday's series finale versus the White Sox, while rotation members Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta and Cooper Criswell all appear set to make their next turns before Houck takes the hill again.

Houck (8-10) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Red Sox fell 8-3 to the Mets. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander came out flat, loading the bases before recording his first out and then serving up a grand slam to Jesse Winker. Houck shook it off and didn't allow another run, but Boston couldn't climb out of the early hole. It's the first time in a month that Houck wasn't able to last at least six innings, a five-start stretch in which he'd posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB through 30.2 innings, but he remains winless in nine outings since the All-Star break. Houck will look for a better result in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Orioles.

Houck allowed three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a no-decision Friday against the Tigers. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

After allowing six runs in a loss to Arizona in his last start, Houck bounced back with a scoreless effort, notching his fourth quality start in his last five outings. Overall, the 28-year-old Houck is 8-9 on the year with a 3.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 143:46 K:BB across innings this season. He's currently lined up to face the Mets on the road next week in his next start.

Houck (8-9) took the loss Sunday against Arizona, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Houck's streak of three straight quality starts came to an end Sunday, surrendering six runs for the third time this season - all of which have come in his last 10 starts. During that stretch, Houck has walked three or more batters six times. He's also logged three or fewer strikeouts six times after having done so just once in his first 16 appearances. The right-hander's ERA sits at 3.23 after 158.2 innings pitched. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers in Detroit next time out.