Houck 'would love to start' for Red Sox in '23

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Tanner Houck’s ability to be the ultimate swingman for the Red Sox the last two seasons has been invaluable.

That said, the hard-throwing right-hander would likely be more valuable if he can prove his worth as a full-time starting pitcher.

Houck comes into this camp with the mission of winning a spot in Boston’s rotation. The 26-year-old is one of seven starters vying for five spots, and he’s eager to emerge from the pack.

“Not my decision,” Houck said. “I would love to start. That's what I've done my whole career. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to help the team win whatever way possible.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided an intriguing answer when asked how Houck can best help the club.

“As many innings as possible,” Cora said. “Obviously the last two years have been different in a sense, but he’s been able to post and do what we wanted him to do. We have to see where we’re at physically and health-wise [with the other starters], but as many innings as possible.”

Houck made four starts last season, but none after May 8. By June, he was being used primarily as the closer for a bullpen that simply didn’t have enough reliable pitchers.

But there is no need to have Houck pitch the ninth inning this season -- not after the club acquired Kenley Jansen and his 391 career saves.

If Houck does wind up in the bullpen, expect it to be in a way that he can continue to stay stretched out.

“If he is in the bullpen, he’ll go multiple innings -- like I said, we’ll see what we want, but we have to maximize him,” Cora said.

Though Houck had back surgery in September, his health is currently of no concern to the Red Sox. The righty looked sharp while throwing live batting practice on Tuesday.

“He’s a full go,” said Cora. “He stayed in Boston right after the surgery all the way to mid-November, put in work. And out of all the guys [coming off injuries], he got the green light first. His stuff is really good. He’s been working on a few things. He’s in a great place.”

Truth be told, Houck thinks that the back surgery is the best thing that could have happened to him.

“[I’m] feeling great. It was the right time, right place for [the surgery] to get done,” Houck said. “That way, I'm ready for all of 2023. I think a lot of stuff that I had last year is cleared up now. I cleaned up a lot of my delivery as well. I think it was just something with the back had always been bugging me a little bit over the years. Now that that's cleaned up, hopefully I’ll be all guns blazing and ready to go.”

With full extension in his back, Houck’s mission is to become someone who is known as a strike-thrower.

“If you’re going to be a pitcher, you have to throw strike No. 1 and just continue on that path,” said Houck. “Whatever role you're in, if you're not throwing strikes, you're not attacking the zone with all your pitches, you're probably not going to get your number as called as often.”

Houck’s fastball and slider have always been his two main pitches. Not developing a consistent third pitch is what has prevented him from reaching his full potential as a starter so far. He think the difference-maker this season can be the splitter.

“Splitter has definitely made a lot of leaps and bounds this year,” said Houck. “I feel a lot more comfortable with it and throwing it in all counts now. I felt that way a little bit last year being in a bullpen role, but I didn’t need it as often. But in a starting role, I know I’m going to have to add that in.”

If Houck has a regret about last year, it’s the fact he was only so-so in his cameo as a starter (1-2, 4.32 ERA, seven walks in 16 2/3 innings).

Should that opportunity come knocking again, Houck thinks he is going to seize the moment.

“Most definitely,” said Houck. “I feel a lot better with a lot of my pitches. I feel more consistent. As long as I can go out there and be consistent, I like my chances.”