After spending days lingering outside the top two spots in the AL East, the Red Sox have finally clawed their way back into the conversation. With a timely surge, they’ve pipped the Yankees out of second place and now sit two games ahead. Now that’s a statement that the October dream is alive and roaring again at Fenway. But in baseball, every rise comes with a twist. Just as momentum was building, the Red Sox were hit with a gut punch.
Reportedly, their veteran All-Star starter, already parked on the injured list, is now officially headed for Tommy John surgery. It’s a crushing blow that lands at the worst possible time, right after a trade deadline that left Boston fans shaking their heads. For the unaware, no reliable arms came through the door, and no rotation savior arrived. And now the dependable piece they had, Tanner Houck, is facing a year-long battle back to the mound.
So, the timing couldn’t sting more. As the team tries to ride its resurgence into the playoff chase, the man at the center of the storm has stepped forward, calling it “unfortunate.” Houck opened up about the uphill fight and the grueling recovery ahead. What will it take to make a triumphant return to the Fenway spotlight?
“It’s gonna be long, it’s gonna be hard, but I’m ready for it. I’ve made peace with it myself,” Houck told the reporters on Sunday, via Christopher Smith of MassLive.
May 1, 2025, Toronto, On, CAN: Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck gathers the ball during sixth inning MLB, Baseball Herren, USA baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Thursday May 1, 2025. Tanner Houck – ZUMAc35_ 20250501_zaf_c35_049 Copyright: xChrisxYoungx
Well, 2025 has been a busy year for Houck. Since his appearance in the 2024 All-Star game, the Red Sox starter hasn’t managed to get on track this summer. He went 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA over nine games before hitting the injured list in mid-May. Now, after months of rehab and minor-league starts, the team announced on Saturday that Houck will miss the rest of the season and undergo TJ surgery.
So, tentatively, the elbow surgery not only ends his 2025 campaign but likely puts most of 2026 in jeopardy as well. Still, Houck remains positive, saying he’s hopeful he can make it back at some point in 2026. “I know the minimum is probably around the 12-month mark, 12- to the 14-month mark.1″
If it were in his control, Houck wouldn’t leave the Red Sox in the middle of a season, but he admitted, “It’s what we’re gonna need to do.” But that doesn’t mean he is giving up. “I’m gonna do everything in my power to get back out there at this time next year and be essentially a trade deadline piece,” he added further.
The decision to have surgery wasn’t easy. Houck felt it was the smartest move for his long-term career. He’s taking inspiration from the success stories of other Red Sox pitchers like Lucas Giolito and Garrett Whitlock, who also bounced back strongly after Tommy John surgery. It’s proof that he can return to form down the line. Now, it’s up to the Red Sox to decide how they replace Houck.
Red Sox to explore a few internal options
With Tanner Houck now officially out for the season, bringing in Dustin May might end up being a key move for the Red Sox. Earlier in the week, MassLive’s Cotillo reported that Houck was seeking additional opinions on his arm. Just a few days later, Boston moved him to the 60-day IL to make room for May on the 40-man roster. So, while the Red Sox front office was ridiculed for bringing May, it might turn out to be their biggest bet this season.
July 21, 2025, Los Angeles, California, USA: Relief pitcher, Dustin May 85 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during their regular season MLB, Baseball Herren, USA game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday July 21, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. JAVIER ROJAS/PI Los Angeles USA – ZUMAp124 20250721_zaa_p124_026 Copyright: xJavierxRojasx
Houck’s Tommy John surgery leaves the Sox needing to rework their rotation, but they do have some solid options. For instance, Brayan Bello (3.19 ERA) and Lucas Giolito (3.57 ERA) are now front and center to help carry the load. Bello, already an established starter, is healthy and capable of handling high-leverage innings. Giolito, fresh off his own successful elbow comeback, has been a workhorse this season.
You might have seen Giolito going big with an eight-inning gem against the Astros. The plan is for May to slide directly into Houck’s rotation spot. Also, depth arms like Richard Fitts are available as backups. Now, between Giolito’s reliability and the addition of May, the Red Sox have a clear path to cover Houck’s absence. This might be the best chance for May to showcase his talent after being largely buried behind Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers.
So, let’s see how it goes for the Red Sox from here.
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