The Red Sox are not rushing Tanner Houck back to the big leagues just because he is back in town. The pitcher rejoined the team at Fenway on Monday after months of rehab work in Florida, but the clock is ticking hard. With the minor league season ending soon, the window to get him game-ready is closing fast. The team has a specific plan for Tuesday that could decide his entire September fate.
Houck’s Tuesday Test
Houck is set to throw just one inning for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday evening. The game starts at 6:00 p.m. ET, and the team will watch his arm very closely. If he feels good, the Red Sox plan to bump his pitch count to 40 or 45 pitches for a second appearance on Friday. They are even considering sending him to Triple-A Worcester for a home game next week. Per the Boston Herald, the team wants to see where he is at after that initial outing before making the final call. This slow build is a sign of caution, not a lack of urgency.
Other players are moving too, but the paths look different. Righty Johan Oviedo is back in the northeast and will hit the bullpen on Tuesday. He is also scheduled for live batting practice in Portland on Friday. Infielder Curtis Mead had his cast removed in late August and has started throwing and catching again. Yet, the Red Sox are not counting on him to be ready anytime soon. According to the Boston Herald, Mead is unlikely to get a rehab assignment before the minor league season wraps up. The team is simply not committing to his return this year.
Crochet’s Uncertain Path
Garrett Crochet faces a similar crossroads as his arm builds up strength. He will throw another 20-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. The outcome of that session will dictate his next move. On Monday morning, interim manager Chad Tracy stated they would assess Crochet’s progress and determine his status afterward. The team is still deciding whether the left-hander should throw live batting practices or jump straight into a rehab assignment. Tracy stated regarding Crochet, “It just depends” on how the arm handles the work. This uncertainty means fans might not see him on a mound until late in the week.
The minor league season is winding down, which makes every pitch count more. The Red Sox need to maximize these few remaining days to get their pitchers ready. Houck, Crochet, and Oviedo all have different timelines, but they share one goal. The team needs them healthy and throwing hard before the roster locks up. If the Tuesday sessions go well, the path to Fenway opens. If not, the wait continues. The clock is ticking on this window, and the results of Tuesday’s work will define the rest of the month.
