With flame relit, Houck set to return Tues. against Houston

NEW YORK -- After two months on the injured list because of a facial fracture, Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck is expected to pitch against the Astros on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park. He will pitch six days after throwing his last bullpen session.

It will be his first appearance since June 16, when Houck was belted below the right eye by a line drive off the bat of Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka at the start of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.

Houck said he is not scared, and he wanted to be back on the mound the right way.

“I wanted to come back 100 percent, and that way I can give the team everything I have, vs. coming back at 80 or 90 percent,” Houck said. “To miss the time that I did, it was unfortunate. It was a freak accident. But the body feels great. I’m ready to get back out there.”

Houck said he didn’t realize how much he loved the game of baseball until he was out of commission during those two months. In fact, a week after the injury, Houck was itching to get back out on the mound. It didn’t feel right being away from the game.

“Two months away from the game felt like a lifetime,” Houck said. “I think that’s how you know you truly love something. Sixty days felt like a year. … I’m incredibly excited to be back. It relit more of a flame in me. … I want to go out there and push myself to be the best version of myself. I always had that flame, but missing time definitely reignites that flame even brighter.”

Entering Sunday’s action, Boston sat three games behind the Mariners for the third and final AL Wild Card spot. Houck was able to get a taste of the playoffs in 2021 out of the bullpen, and he said playoff baseball is a different animal.

“It’s a different environment, but also knowing that it takes a full 162 games to reach that point,” Houck said. “Realizing [what’s at stake], I have to get my work done every single day, 40 games left, go out there and continue and get a little bit better each day and help the team win. Come in with a smile on my face every day, good attitude, win or lose.”

Red Sox manager Alex Cora is happy to get Houck back in the rotation. In 13 starts this season, Houck is 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA.

“It’s huge for us. Obviously, we have to make a move,” Cora said. “Finally, pitching staff-wise, we are full force. Is it late? We don’t know. But I think we are in a good place right now.”