Red Sox Recieve Final Notable Reinforcement Ahead Of Astros Series

The starting pitcher could be a crucial part of a playoff push

A Boston Red Sox starter will return to the majors next week; will his contributions be too late for a playoff push?

Tanner Houck will be making his first Major League Baseball start since he was sidelined in June with a facial fracture. The injury was sustained by a comebacker from New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka.

"Houck will pitch Tuesday against the (Houston) Astros instead of starting Monday’s series opener," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "The decision will give Houck an extra day after he made his last rehab start Wednesday for the WooSox."

In the few months he's played this season, the right-hander has a 5.05 ERA, 64-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .243 batting average against and a 1.26 WHIP in 67 2/3 innings pitched across 13 games.

Houck's return could not have come at a better time as he'll be taking the mound against the Astros, who are also competing for an American League Wild Card spot. The Red Sox are currently three games behind in the wild-card hunt, and face the Astros in seven of their next 10.

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