BOSTON -- It has been over a year since right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck took the mound for the Boston Red Sox, as a string of elbow injuries led the former All-Star starter to undergo Tommy John surgery in August 2025. However, Houck has his eyes set on a return to the big leagues, aiming to contribute however he can to the Red Sox' 2026 playoff run. After making a rehab appearance on Tuesday night with Double-A Portland, the 30-year-old right-hander was back with the Sea Dogs on Friday night for another outing against the New York Mets' affiliate, Binghamton.

Here's what you need to know about how his appearance went: 

Houck entered the game in the top of the fourth inning with Portland leading 7-1, with a man on first base and nobody out, after starter Yordanny Monegro allowed a solo home run and issued a walk to start the inning. Houck made quick work of the first batter he faced, first baseman Corey Collins, getting ahead of the 24-year-old 0-2 before getting him to ground into a double play for the first two outs of the inning. With the bases now clear, Houck went right after second baseman Jamari Baylor, striking him out on five pitches for the first punchout of his assignment. 

Having thrown only eight pitches in his first inning of work, Houck returned to the mound for the top of the fifth, where he again made quick work of the heart of Binghamton's lineup, retiring the side in order, including a strikeout of the leadoff man, left fielder JT Benson. 

With Portland now leading 8-1, the 30-year-old returned to the mound for the top of the sixth, where he ran into trouble for the first time. Houck allowed a leadoff triple off the bat of designated hitter Marco Vargas. With Vargas on third, Houck punched out Mets No. 6-rated prospect Jacob Reimer after a six-pitch battle for the first out of the inning. Then, his control escaped him, as he issued a four-pitch walk to right fielder Eli Serrano III. With men now on the corners, Houck was able to lock back in, striking out center fielder John Bay for the second out of the inning. After Collins worked the count full, Houck was able to retire the first baseman for the second time, getting him to fly out to center field. However, during the at-bat, Binghamton executed a double-steal, scoring Vargas from third to cut the Portland lead to six, 8-2. 

Thanks to the tumultuous sixth inning, Houck reached a pitch count of 48, three more than the 40-45 range he was expected to throw, ending his night. Houck allowed just one earned run on one hit, while walking only one and striking out four.

Overall, he has allowed two earned runs on one hit while walking three and striking out four in 3.2 innings of work across both appearances. 

Houck will reconvene with the Red Sox medical staff to see how his elbow is responding to game action before potentially joining Triple-A Worcester when they return home from a lengthy road trip, hosting the Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate, the Durham Bulls, for a six-game series from Polar Park. 

The Red Sox are 80-67 and in third place in the American League East.