Red Sox Lose Closer as Injury Woes Mount

It feels like every player on the Boston Red Sox has gotten hurt at some point this season, and Tanner Houck is no exception.

Houck, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 9 with lower back inflammation, received a discouraging injury update on Saturday.

Tanner Houck Injury News

Houck, who last appeared for the Red Sox on Aug. 2, has thrown his last pitch of 2022 for Boston. According to manager Alex Cora, Houck will undergo back surgery next week to fix a disc issue that has already sidelined him for a month. Houck will not return this season but is expected to be ready for spring training next year.

This is another significant loss to an injury-riddled Red Sox roster that just hasn't been able to stay healthy this season. Houck was one of the team's more valuable arms this year, opening the season as a starter before shifting to the bullpen and ultimately taking over the closer role. Altogether, he posted a strong 3.15 ERA with eight saves and 56 strikeouts in 60 innings.

The 26-year-old right-hander figures to play a prominent role on Boston's pitching staff again next year. The team may opt to keep him in the bullpen at the start of the season to ease him back in, although he may need to return to a rotation that could have a few openings depending on how this offseason shakes out.

Houck was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing 2022 season for the Red Sox, so hopefully he can continue to be a quality hurler for them in 2023 and beyond.