Tanner Houck struggles with his control in first spring start
Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck made his first spring training start against the Phillies on Thursday. He pitched 1 2/3 innings and struggled with his control.
Houck was effective in the first inning, he threw 15 pitches, issuing a leadoff walk to Kyle Schwarber and then settled down. He would get Alec Bohm to fly out to right field, Bryson Scott to hit into a force out to shortstop and then Darick Hall flew out to center field.
The second inning told a completely different story for Houck.
The former Mizzou standout threw 42 pitches, struggling with his command. Houck walked three Phillies batters before manager Alex Cora went and pulled his starter.
The 26-year-old is coming into spring training aiming to secure a spot in the Red Sox rotation. This was the first time Houck pitched in a game since Aug. 2nd, when he was shutdown with a back injury. That injury ultimately led to Houck to have lumbar discectomy procedure, which fixes a disc in a patients lower back.
“I would love to start. That's what I've done my whole career. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to help the team win whatever way possible,” said Houck at Winter Weekend in January.
Following his start, Houck was asked about his back and if he is feeling any pain.
"I don't think about the back anymore. I think the teams thinks of it more than I do ... No concerns with the back and super happy about that. Can't complain at all. I haven't pitched in a while without pain,” said Houck via Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe.
Houck definitely showed signs of rust on the mound against the Phillies. If he wants to make the rotation, he will need to limit the walks and reel in his control.
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