Boston Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Provides Problematic Update on Starting Pitcher Tanner Houck
The Boston Red Sox swept the New York Yankees this weekend at Fenway Park.
It was a great weekend for the Sox, who moved to within three games of a wild card spot in the American League and put them at 37-35.
But it wasn't all good. A scary moment unfolded Friday night when starting pitcher Tanner Houck was hit in the face by a line drive.
He was placed on the injured list on Sunday with a facial fracture and manager Alex Cora provided a worrisome update on Houck afterwards.
Per the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Houck will be re-evaluated later this week before a determination is made regarding whether he'll surgery to address a fracture on the right side of his face, ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Cora commented on the matter shortly after Houck was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday, two days after he exited his start against the Yankees after being struck just below his right eye by a line drive off the bat of Kyle Higashioka. Houck received stitches to seal the wound on his face, but it's not yet clear if the fracture will require surgical intervention or if the injury will be able to heal on its own. If surgery is deemed necessary, Houck's potential return timeline will likely be pushed back further.
First and foremost, that's just a scary situation. Any time that any pitcher is head in the head and face area, the worry extends bigger than baseball.
It's also a tough blow for Houck, professionally. Making the transition to full-time starter this year after years of shuffling between the rotation and the bullpen, he undoubtedly doesn't want to miss significant time so he can prove he belongs in the rotation moving forward.
This year, he's 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA. Lifetime, he's 12-15 with a 3.66 ERA.
The Red Sox will take on the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis on Monday night.
First pitch is 7:40 p.m. ET.
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