Sox uncertain where Houck will start year

With his A-plus stuff working, Tanner Houck looked dominant once again on Monday afternoon.

Facing a top-tier Atlanta Braves lineup that he carved his way through for 10 strikeouts in his final big league start last fall, Houck once again had no trouble handling some of the best hitters in the National League.

In the first inning, Houck struck out Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman and Marcel Ozuna.

He finished 4- 1/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts as the Red Sox went on to a 4-0 win and became the first team all spring to hold the Braves scoreless.

"Got back to my roots today, focused on throwing a good two-seam and a slider off that," he said. "Threw some really good splits throughout the whole outing. That's obviously the pitch I've been working on the most, just trying to bring it up to elite caliber. For me, a lot of progress and continuing to grow."

Houck struggled throwing strikes earlier this spring but was hitting 97 mph on the radar gun while continuing to throw a slider that looks almost Chris Sale-like, but from the right-hand slide. It's a pitch that's long made Houck a prospect, and one that helped him carve up big leaguers in three brilliant starts last season (17 innings, 21 strikeouts, 0.53 ERA).

"I know my sinker/slider combo is my bread and butter," Houck said. "That's my go-to. I've done that for years and had a lot of success that way and continue to stay that way. I've been talking with (pitching coach Dave Bush), been talking to everyone just going out there to continue to adapt and evolve. It's been nice having a lot of amazing people around me to lead me in that direction."

Despite Houck's powerful stuff, the Red Sox appear committed to using Martin Perez (MLB-worst 5.30 ERA over the last three seasons) and Nick Pivetta (career 5.40 ERA) in their rotation to start the year.

Houck has already been optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin his season at the alternate site.

Even with Eduardo Rodriguez missing his Opening Day start due to a case of dead arm, it remains uncertain if Houck will be needed at the big league level early on.

"Obviously he's an option," manager Alex Cora said. "We know what's going on and as far as like Eduardo, where we're gonna go with him and all that stuff, so there's a chance he can be part of this."