The Sox relegated top youngster Tanner Houck to the alternate site at Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.
The WooSox don’t start playing until May 4, so Houck will have to hone his abilities in bullpen sessions and inter-squad games without crowds.
In his season debut on Saturday, Houck sparkled with a high-90s fastball and a crisp slider, striking out eight batters in five innings while surrendering only two earned runs.
However, with Eduardo Rodriguez set to return to the rotation after missing the first month of the season due to a dead arm, the Sox elected to return Houck’s rotation position to Rodriguez.
Houck came in in relief in the Sox’ extra-innings victory on Tuesday night, allowing the player starting the inning on second base via the new rules to score on a bouncing double up the left-field line, the first hit he’s allowed on his slider since reaching the majors.
Until that time, opponents had gone 0-for-19 against him, with 13 strikeouts. Houck struck out two more batters to end the inning with an unearned run.
Tanner Houck has 31 strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA in 23 big league innings.
How Much Does Tanner Houck Make?
Tanner Houck makes an average annual salary of $577,000 in 2022
