Tanner Houck Could Be Needed In Relief
9 months agoBoston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck is preparing as a starter with spring training just around the corner, but he could be needed in relief if the team decides to trade closer Kenley Jansen before the start of the 2024 season. The 27-year-old will be competing for a rotation spot in camp, and if he loses that battle, he'll also be ticketed for a relief role. He'll have more fantasy appeal as a starter, but he has experience out of the bullpen as well, starting just four of his 32 appearances for the BoSox in 2022. Houck made some adjustments to his arsenal this offseason after going 6-10 with a career-worst 5.01 ERA (4.43 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 41 walks and a career-high 99 strikeouts in 106 innings over 21 starts last year. Houck has had a below-average strikeout rate as a starter and relies more on ground balls for his success on the mound.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham