With Sale back, Houck and Whitlock on clock
Perhaps there’s some hope on the horizon for the Red Sox.
Chris Sale, who was reinstated from the injured list ahead of his Friday start, offered a reminder of that in his outing against the Tigers at Fenway Park. The lefthander, who is still going through his progression after suffering a fracture in his shoulder blade, went a strong 4„ innings, yielding just one hit (a solo homer). striking out seven, and not walking a batter.
Meanwhile on Friday, over in Worcester, Tanner Houck (facial fracture) put together a promising outing, tossing three scoreless innings, allowing just a hit and striking out three. The righthander didn’t hand out a free pass, tossing 34 pitches (23 strikes). Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Houck will probably need one more rehab outing and the hope is that he can rejoin the big league club for a series at Houston that begins Aug. 21.
The club will bring back Houck as a starter, adding to a rotation that had used bullpen games to cover contests for two rotation spots for a month-plus.
In that next rehab appearance, the Sox are hoping Houck can go deeper into the game.
“Obviously, we can’t control that, right, but we want him to go deeper into the game in the next one,” Cora said prior to Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Tigers. “The goal is to always have at least five [innings] when they come [to the big leagues]. If it’s shorter, it’s shorter. The game will dictate that. But we are building him up to go at least five.”
This is the first season Houck has had a defined role with the club. Since being called up in 2020, Houck has been both a starter and a reliever. The Red Sox played with the idea of Houck as a reliever upon his return but ultimately decided to keep him in his current role.
“The bullpen is really, really good,” Cora said. “And he did an outstanding job early on [as a starter]. So we’ll keep [him] in there and we’ll see how we play it out. There are a lot of games coming up. One extra day for a six-man rotation. We can be creative with the guys that we have.”
Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is set to return Sunday, and the
Sox will use the righthander as a reliever, amplifying the back part of the bullpen even more. Whitlock wanted to come back as soon as possible, and the Red Sox figured this was the best way to do so.
“I know those guys have been working hard and Tanner had a really good outing,” Sale said. “I’m happy and proud that he can get back out there after something like that [being hit in the face by a line drive]. It can’t be easy. So yeah, having him come back, having a Whitlock come back, and Trevor [Story the shortstop who made his season debut last week] gaining some momentum, moving forward with that, this is going to bring a boost to the clubhouse.”
Turner returns as DH
Justin Turner (bone bruise) was back in the lineup Saturday as the Sox’ designated hitter. He had missed seven of 10 contests since Aug. 2, including the previous four before the middle game against the Tigers. Turner worked out on the field Friday before a decision was made.
“I talked to him today,” Cora said. “He said he’s ready to play today. So we’ll take care of him. But it was up to him. He did everything yesterday. And he felt like giving it a go.”
Turner, who has played some second base, third, and first, will solely be a DH for now. He was 2 for 4 in his return (single, home run No. 18), and scored both runs.
Changes at the top
The Red Sox made a lineup switch, moving the struggling
Jarren Duran out of the leadoff spot and down to the sevenhole. Alex Verdugo took over the leadoff spot. The move is both because of a lack of production while also serving as a mental breather for Duran.
“Just go down there and hit,” Cora said. “Just put him down there. Less at-bats. Less pressure.”
Duran went 0 for 2 and is in a 1 for 24 slump.
The top of the order consisted of Verdugo, who went 0 for 5 while leading for the first time since July 6, Masataka Yoshida (1 for 4), and Turner. Cora felt the trio’s ability to put together quality at-bats and work counts could benefit the offense, which has gotten away from that approach this month.
“The games have been fast for us,” Cora said. “We’ve been very aggressive. So having those three guys, they can set the offense the right way.”
Cora praises Cabrera
The Red Sox honored Miguel Cabrera, who will retire at the end of the season, before Saturday’s game. Cora offered some glowing remarks on the Detroit slugger, who is a sure-bet firstballot Hall of Famer. “Somebody asked me last year or two years ago about Miguel and he’s like
Tony Gwynn, but with power,” Cora said. “He’s driving the ball to right field, putting the ball in play, hitting for average, hitting for power, driving in runs, but he doesn’t strike out. Obviously, I know he bounced back early in his career. He had some issues. But this guy, he doesn’t stop smiling. He’s a great teammate. It’s always fun to be around him. What a career.” . . . The Sox plan to give third baseman Rafael Devers a day off Sunday . . . The series finale will be aired on Peacock starting at 12:05 p.m.