Red Sox to option Chris Murphy, activating Tanner Houck off the IL
The Red Sox optioned left-handed reliever Chris Murphy to Triple-A Worcester and will activate Tanner Houck off the injured list.
Houck will start for the Red Sox on Tuesday night against the Astros.
The righty has been on the 15-day injured list since June 18 after he was struck in the face by a line drive and suffered a facial fracture. He underwent surgery and had a plate inserted into his face.
Houck was initially slated to return back to the Sox on Monday, but Alex Cora will have James Paxton start the series opener and give the righty an extra day of rest.
The 27-year-old made three rehab starts with the WooSox posting a 2.08 ERA while striking out 10 batters in 8 2/3 innings. The right-handed hurler’s return to the Sox rotation will strengthen the pitching staff as they push for the postseason.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a solid rookie season with Boston, he has posted a 3.72 EA in 13 outings (38 2/3). With Murphy heading back to the minors leaving Brennan Bernardino as the only left-hander in the Red Sox bullpen.
Murphy initially was an unlikely candidate to be promoted to the Sox earlier this season. The southpaw struggled in the minors and was demoted to the bullpen.
“Early in the season, he didn’t throw enough strikes as a starter,” Cora said to reporters earlier this summer. “He was throwing 95 pitches in four innings. And when we made the transition, he’s been consistent in the strike zone. ... The present is now. That’s what everybody feels around here. I do believe right now, the way he is going to contribute is this role.”
Murphy acknowledged that he was working behind in counts, resulting in the majority of his effectiveness.
“I’m just trying to work through the middle of the plate instead of trying to nibble.” Murphy said about his recent outings. “I have been working with our pitching coach, Paul Abbott. We have been talking about being more aggressive through the zone instead of thinking about corners and nibbling with two strikes. I have to go at guys early and late in counts, whatever it is.”
Murphy is expected to rejoin the Red Sox before the end of the season. He will have to wait 15 days due to his demotion back to the WooSox unless someone on the big league roster lands on the IL.
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