Red Sox Place Tanner Houck on 15-Day IL After Struggles, Adjust Rotation

Tanner Houck, once an All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, has experienced a dramatic decline in performance during the 2025 season, culminating in his second 11-earned run outing of the year and an alarming 8.04 ERA over nine starts. Following his latest disastrous appearance against the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox placed Houck on the 15-day injured list with a right flexor pronator strain, though he initially reported no physical issues. Manager Alex Cora has indicated that the team will adjust its rotation, moving Brayan Bello, Hunter Dobbins, and potentially the returning Walker Buehler into starting roles, while Cooper Criswell was recalled from Triple-A Worcester as a corresponding move. The Red Sox are at a crossroads regarding Houck's future, as continued struggles may force the team to consider alternatives such as Sean Newcomb or a bullpen assignment for Houck. The situation is further complicated by MLB's scrutiny of phantom IL stints, though Houck's ongoing soreness and inability to rebound have been cited as legitimate. Houck will use his time on the injured list to rest and mentally reset, but regaining his rotation spot will require significant improvement upon his return.