Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck took a big step forward in his recovery on Monday.
Houck had Tommy John surgery on Aug. 18 and is going through his rehab. On Monday, he threw a baseball for the first time, which is a step in the right direction.
Although Houck is already throwing, he said the goal is to return in September for a playoff push.
“My whole goal is to be back in September,” Houck said on Monday, via The Athletic. “I set that goal basically the day after the surgery. I wanted to do it smart and the right way. …
“I can have my goal, but if God has a different plan, then I might have to readjust as things ramp up with throwing and see how the body recovers.”
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If Houck can return in September, he can provide the Red Sox with some depth to the rotation and potentially into the playoffs.
Houck is coming off a disappointing 2025 season, as before the injury, he struggled. The right-hander went 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA in nine starts.
However, he was solid in 2024 as the right-hander went 9-10 with a 3.12 ERA in 30 starts and was named an All-Star. Houck is set to earn $4.15 million in 2026 and is under team control through the 2027 season.
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