FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As nice as it was for the Red Sox to have the flexibility of using Tanner Houck's electric arm in the rotation and the bullpen last season, things could be changing for the 25-year-old righty in 2022.

Will Houck be in the rotation when the season starts?

"Most likely," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

It will be up to Houck to seize the opportunity and stay there. Houck made his first start of Spring Training on Sunday in the Red Sox's 3-2 win over the Orioles and had his ups and downs, allowing a hit and a run while walking three and striking out two over 2 2/3 innings.

"First time out," Houck said. "Knock the rust off. You can throw as many live and bullpen [sessions] as you want. Getting in a game situation is definitely a little bit different. The heart rate is up a little bit more.

"So, the first one out of the way, felt good, mixed in all the pitches. In the second inning, I got a little too rotational."

With Chris Sale sidelined indefinitely with a stress fracture in his right ribcage, Houck takes on greater importance.

"He did an amazing job last year," said Cora. "Obviously, looking forward for him to take the next step. It was a different role and he was really good for us. Now it's just a matter of putting everything together and keep improving, but he's a guy that we trust."

What does Houck have to do to take the next step?

"Throw strikes and be more consistent in the zone," said Cora. "That's something that we can't live with -- expanding the zone over and over and over again. Because guys are going to be like, 'You know what? He has to throw that ball over the plate.' So I think probably that's the next step."

Though Houck is aware he isn't a finished product, he was pleased when a reporter relayed Cora's endorsement of his "likely" place in the rotation.

"My plan coming into camp was to work and not really take anything for granted. So, for me to earn that spot and for them to have the trust in me, thank you to them and [I] hope to do them proud," said Houck. "That's all I can really say. I just want to go out there and compete and help the team win in any way."

When the Red Sox needed Houck most last season -- in a crucial game No. 161 of the regular season -- he fired five no-hit innings against the Nationals. Boston punched its ticket to the postseason the next day.

It was a big moment for a young pitcher. Houck had more of them in October, firing a scoreless frame in the win over the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game and five huge innings of relief to earn his first career postseason victory.

"Any time you have a great outing like that, it definitely helps," said Houck. "Your confidence gets boosted. That's in the past now. That's 2021 and this is 2022. I can't take anything for granted. It's a new year. We don't have any wins on the board. Everyone is 0-0 and the marathon has begun."