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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 4:34:24 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Mariners Monday, 31rst July 2023 9:40pm @ T Mobile Park
Pivetta 7-5/ 4.11
Kirby 9-8/ 3.49
Mariners host Red Sox with both teams chasing wild-card berths FLM
The Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners have been playing better than anyone this month as they attempt to chase down American League wild-card berths.
The two teams open a three-game series on Monday night in Seattle.
Despite losing their past two games in San Francisco, the Red Sox have a major-league-best .682 winning percentage in July, going 15-7.
The Mariners, who just completed a six-game road trip in which they took two of three games at both Minnesota and Arizona, are 16-9 with a .640 winning percentage this month -- matching the Baltimore Orioles for the second-best winning percentage in July.
Tampa Bay begins Monday with a four-game lead in the AL's wild-card race, with Toronto and Houston tied for the remaining two berths. The Red Sox are 2 1/2 games back of the Blue Jays and Astros, while the Mariners are 4 1/2 out.
That's a precarious spot heading into Tuesday's trade deadline.
"Guys know where we're at in the season, quite frankly, and they know we needed to play well to put themselves in a position with 48 hours here ahead of the trade deadline," Mariners manager Scott Servais said after Sunday's 4-0 victory against the Diamondbacks. "You see what other teams are doing in our division.
"Our guys want to go after it. I credit them. They are super competitive. We went 4-2 on this trip and very easily could've gone 6-0. It's a credit to our players. They want to push. They want to go for it."
Luis Castillo, acquired at last year's deadline from Cincinnati, pitched six innings of two-hit ball and struck out seven on Sunday, while leadoff hitter J.P. Crawford doubled, homered and scored three times.
The Red Sox lost their series finale 4-3 to the Giants in 11 innings on Sunday despite home runs by Justin Turner and Adam Duvall.
"I feel like we're playing the right brand of baseball at the right time," Duvall said last week. "We've got to keep continuing to build as a team, to continue to get better at the little things, and it'll be fun to see how good we can be."
On Monday, Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (7-5, 4.11 ERA) is scheduled to make his first start since beating the Mariners 9-4 on May 16 despite allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings, with four walks and six strikeouts.
Since moving to the bullpen, Pivetta has a 1.98 ERA, holding batters to a .128 average.
Pivetta pitched five scoreless innings of relief on Tuesday in a 7-1 victory against visiting Atlanta, allowing three hits and one walk, and striking out five.
"Yeah, whenever my name is called from the bullpen, however long I pitch, it's just what I do," said Pivetta, who is 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two career starts covering 11 1/3 innings against Seattle. "I just go out and try to put us in the best position to win."
The Mariners are set to start right-hander George Kirby (9-8, 3.49), who is 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox. That includes a 10-1 victory on May 15 in Boston in which he allowed one run on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings, with one walk and six strikeouts.
In his last start, on Tuesday at Minnesota, Kirby didn't get a decision as Seattle rallied for a 9-7 victory. He allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings, fanning nine.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 4:35:44 GMT -5
Rest of Series
Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. ET — RHP Brayan Bello (7-6, 3.66 ERA) vs. RHP Bryce Miller (7-3, 3.96 ERA)
Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. ET — RHP Kutter Crawford (5-5, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Gilbert (9-5, 3.83 ERA)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 4:57:58 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Rodríguez (right hip) headed back to IL July 30th, 2023 LATEST NEWS
July 30: LHP Joely Rodríguez (right hip) headed for IL It seemed strange that Red Sox manager Alex Cora didn't go to Rodríguez all weekend in San Francisco, especially Sunday's 4-3 loss in 11 innings. It turns out there was a reason. Rodríguez has been battling right hip discomfort and is all but certain to be placed on the 15-day injured list prior to Monday's game in Seattle. Given that Rodríguez hasn't pitched since Tuesday, the Sox can back-date the move. This is the third time Rodriguez has been on the IL this season -- each time with a different injury.
"He felt it yesterday," said Cora. "We felt like today, he was making strides but that wasn't the case. He'll be going on the IL tomorrow. We don’t think it’s serious but with where we're at right now, just make sure he’s OK. We don’t think it’s more than 15 days. He felt it yesterday warming up. Last night, he felt better. This morning he was moving but then he felt it again."
July 30: C Reese McGuire could be activated in Seattle The original plan for McGuire was to catch nine innings on Saturday for Triple-A Worcester and nine more on Sunday. Instead, McGuire played two innings on Saturday until play was suspended by rain and finished the game on Sunday, catching the final seven innings. McGuire went 0-for-3 with a walk. The left-handed hitter went on the 10-day injured list on June 22 with a right oblique strain.
Manager Alex Cora expects McGuire will rejoin the club in Seattle at some point during a series that starts on Monday and ends Wednesday afternoon.
July 29: LHP Chris Sale will start rehab assignment Tuesday Sale is expected to go three innings in Tuesday's outing for Triple-A Worcester against Syracuse. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the ace lefty will make at least one more rehab appearance after that. Sale could join the Sox as early as Aug. 11.
Sale went on the injured list on June 2 with a stress reaction in his left shoulder blade. In 11 starts this season, he is 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA.
July 29: RHP Corey Kluber 'shut down' for now Kluber didn't recover well after his previous rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on July 26, and the club has decided to shut him down from throwing for now. The veteran righty went on the injured list on June 21 with right shoulder inflammation.
Kluber was the club's Opening Day starter, but he struggled mightily and was moved to the bullpen in May. He will work in relief upon his return.
"It didn't work out the last time and he hasn't progressed," Cora said. "So we'll make sure we get him right."
SS Trevor Story (right elbow surgery) Expected return: Aug. 4-6 series at Fenway In his latest rehab game for Triple-A Worcester, Story went 0-for-4 as the designated hitter on July 30. The veteran shortstop went deep for Worcester on July 28. He is expected to stay on his rehab assignment while the Red Sox are on the West Coast and could be activated as soon as Aug. 4, when the Sox open a homestand against the Blue Jays. (Last updated: July 30)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: August or September Whitlock threw his second bullpen session on July 29, ramping up to 35-40 pitches, according to manager Alex Cora. He will throw at least one more bullpen session and a live BP before he can embark on a Minor League rehab assignment.
Whitlock's role is up in the air until the Red Sox can assess their pitching staff after the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He has been used exclusively as a starter this season, going 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA. (Last updated: July 29)
RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) Expected return: August Houck is making strong progress and threw his second bullpen session on July 28. He initiated his throwing program on July 11. Houck's role going forward will be determined once the Sox get through the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He's been used exclusively as a starter so far this season. (Last updated: July 29)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 5:07:16 GMT -5
Nick Pivetta will return to Red Sox rotation Monday (at least for a game)
Published: Jul. 30, 2023, 8:21 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
SAN FRANCISCO — In a bit of a surprise, right-hander Nick Pivetta will make his return to the Red Sox starting rotation Monday night in Seattle.
Boston was originally planning on using an opener in its series opener against the Mariners but will use Pivetta as a conventional starter after using seven relievers (Brennan Bernardino, John Schreiber, Chris Murphy, Josh Winckowski, Richard Bleier, Chris Martin and Mauricio Llovera) in Sunday’s extra-innings loss to the Giants. Cora hopes Pivetta will go deep into Monday’s game to limit bullpen usage.
“We don’t have too many options as far as relievers,” Cora said. “We need to make sure we keep our relievers where we have. Hopefully, we can reset.”
Pivetta has not started since May 16 (coincidentally against Seattle) and was demoted to the bullpen after that outing as the owner of a 6.30 ERA in eight starts to begin the season. He has been terrific in relief since switching roles, posting a 1.98 ERA (9 earned runs in 41 innings) and recording 58 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .128 average. In recent weeks, Pivetta has given the Red Sox length out of the bullpen on a regular schedule, going four or more innings four times since July 2. He has allowed just five earned runs in his last 24 ⅓ innings (1.85 ERA) while recording 40 strikeouts in his last six games.
Pivetta’s surge has allowed the Red Sox to navigate a stretch during which they’ve been missing three starters (Chris Sale, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock) due to injury. The righty now has a 4.11 ERA in 81 innings on the year.
“Forget his role, whatever you want to call it, he has been one of the best pitchers in the big leagues for the last two months,” Cora said.
After using an opener (Bernardino) Sunday, the Red Sox will use traditional starters on all three days in Seattle. Brayan Bello will get an extra day of rest and pitch Tuesday before Kutter Crawford takes the ball in Wednesday’s matinee series finale. Lefty James Paxton will make his next start Friday against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park (assuming he’s not traded before Tuesday’s deadline).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 5:24:43 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Chris Sale set for rehab assignment with Worcester, then to return to opener-reliant Red Sox in starting role By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated July 30, 2023, 11:13 p.m.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Red Sox see themselves as legitimate contenders who can make a playoff push, and Chris Sale is a huge piece to the club’s hopes.
Sale (shoulder) will start a rehab assignment Tuesday with Worcester, with the plan calling for him to throw three innings in Syracuse N.Y., against the Mets’ Triple A affiliate. The lefthander is scheduled for at least one more rehab appearance before he could rejoin the big league club.
But in what role?
The Red Sox and Giants employed the opener/bullpen method twice each in their three-game series that concluded with San Francisco’s 4-3 win Sunday in 11 innings. Both teams went with an opener Sunday and while the Sox have done so because of injured starters, the Giants have done it because their starters have underperformed. The strategy helps a pitcher who usually starts, or the bulk guy, avoid the top of the order more than twice — hiding them, essentially.
Manager Alex Cora has taken notice.
“What they’re doing is interesting, with all their starters in the bullpen and kind of like mixing and matching and going to three innings. That’s something that intrigues me,” Cora said before Sunday’s game. “It puts the other manager [in a situation of], ‘How are we going to do this?’ So maybe we can go that route.”
Not with Sale. The Red Sox would prefer to keep him as a starter, even if it means he only goes three or four innings at a time upon activation from the 60-day injured list.
Could Garrett Whitlock (elbow), who hasn’t proved he is able to stay healthy and has struggled as a starter, and Tanner Houck (facial fracture), who is dominant the first two times through an order but labors the third time through, be used behind an opener when they returnfrom the IL?
Perhaps.
The Red Sox have gone more than a month utilizing the opener in 40 percent of their contests and have managed to dominate their opponents for most of that time. But the sustainability of the strategy, eventually, runs out of steam because there’s so much reliance on bullpen arms.
“It’s going to get tougher now,” Cora said.
The bullpen strategy has been working, thanks in part to Nick Pivetta, Chris Murphy, and Brennan Bernardino, Sunday’s opener.
But one thing is clear: the Red Sox need starters, and Sale will remain one. On to Seattle
The Red Sox will be in Seattle next for a series at T-Mobile Park beginning Monday.
After Sunday’s game, Cora said reliever Joely Rodriguez (hip) will be going on the injured list and Pivetta will start the series opener opposite George Kirby. It was originally planned as a bullpen game for the Sox.
Rodriguez was visibly frustrated inside the visitors clubhouse after Saturday’s game.
“We felt like [Sunday] he was making strides. But that wasn’t the case,” said Cora.
The Sox don’t view Rodriguez’s injury as anything serious and believe he will need just the minimum amount of days. This IL stint will mark his third of the season. He’s pitched in just 11 games, posting a 6.55 ERA over 11 innings.
Brayan Bello had previously been pushed back a day to Tuesday and lines up against the Mariners’ Bryce Miller. Kutter Crawford will be on the hill Wednesday for the series finale vs. Seattle’s Logan Gilbert.
The Mariners (54-51) are 7-3 in their last 10 games, including a 4-0 win Sunday in Phoenix over the Diamondbacks. The Sox took two of three from Seattle at Fenway Park in mid-May.
McGuire expected back
Catcher Reese McGuire (oblique) will come off the injured list and join the Red Sox in Seattle. The cross-country travel, Cora noted, makes it difficult to pinpoint a day … Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, grandson of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, left Sunday’s game with hamstring tightness.
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Post by Kimmi on Jul 31, 2023 7:00:59 GMT -5
Rest of Series
Tuesday, 9:40 p.m. ET — RHP Brayan Bello (7-6, 3.66 ERA) vs. RHP Bryce Miller (7-3, 3.96 ERA)
Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. ET — RHP Kutter Crawford (5-5, 3.86 ERA) vs. RHP Logan Gilbert (9-5, 3.83 ERA) Looks like some good pitching matchups. Hopefully, the Sox are up to the task. Wake up offense.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 13:31:35 GMT -5
Game 106: Red Sox at Mariners lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated July 31, 2023, 11:19 a.m. The Red Sox continue their road trip on the West Coast with a three-game series at Seattle in a matchup of two of the better-performing teams over the last 30 days. Despite losing their last two games in San Francisco, the Red Sox have the best record in the majors for the month of July, 15-7. The Mariners are 16-9 this month. They return home after completing a six-game road trip in which they took two of three games at both Minnesota and Arizona. Both teams have climbed into contention for the postseason. The Sox are 2½ games behind the Blue Jays and Astros, who are tied for the final two spots in the wild-card standings. The Mariners are 4½ back. RED SOX (56-49): Jarren Duran (L) CF Justin Turner (R) DH Masataka Yoshida (L) LF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Triston Casas (L) 1B Alex Verdugo (L) RF Connor Wong (R) C Pablo Reyes (R) 2B Yu Chang (R) SS Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (7-5, 4.11 ERA) MARINERS (54-51): J.P. Crawford (L) SS Julio Rodriguez (R) CF Eugenio Suarez (R) 3B Cal Raleigh (S) DH Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF Ty France (R) 1B Tom Murphy (R) C Cade Marlowe (L) LF Jose Caballero (R) 2B Pitching: RHP George Kirby (9-8, 3.49 ERA) Time: 9:40 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Kirby: Triston Casas 0-3, Rafael Devers 4-8, Jarren Duran 1-3, Pablo Reyes 1-3, Justin Turner 1-3, Alex Verdugo 3-9, Connor Wong 0-3 Mariners vs. Pivetta: J.P. Crawford 0-3, Ty France 3-7, Teoscar Hernández 3-21, Dylan Moore 0-2, Tom Murphy 1-2, Cal Raleigh 1-2, Julio Rodríguez 0-3, Eugenio Suárez 2-8, Taylor Trammell 1-4, Kolten Wong 3-8 Stat of the day: The Red Sox are 14-5-1 in series play when they win the first game. They are 20-13-2 in series play overall. Notes: Pivetta is scheduled to make his first start since beating the Mariners, 9-4, May 16 after allowing four runs on six hits in 5⅓ innings, with four walks and six strikeouts. Since moving to the bullpen, Pivetta has a 1.98 ERA, holding batters to a .128 average. He pitched five scoreless innings of relief Tuesday in a 7-1 victory over Atlanta, allowing three hits and one walk, and striking out five. … Kirby is 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox. That includes a 10-1 victory May 15 at Fenway Park in which he allowed one run on eight hits in 6⅔ innings, with one walk and six strikeouts. Song of the Day: Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child www.youtube.com/watch?v=84ZzDXF-Bhs
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 16:47:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4m LHP Joely Rodriguez on the 15-day IL retroactive to July 29 with right hip inflammation. LHP Joe Jacques recalled.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 16:50:39 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 23m No Adam Duvall for the Red Sox tonight. Might not be anything. But sometimes nothing is something this time of year, and sometimes something is nothing. Nothing might also be nothing and something may also be something.
No move yet involving Reese McGuire.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 19:00:39 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m Alex Cora: "I’ve been in touch with Chaim the whole day about certain things and hopefully something happens.
"If it happens, we’re going to be OK. If nothing happens, we’re going to be OK, too. I do believe this team is a really good baseball team playing good baseball.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 19:01:53 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 21m "Just a day" for Adam Duvall, says Alex Cora.
Story may not be back Friday but it’s still possible. Sale on track for rehab assignment tomorrow night.
Houck and Whitlock throwing up-and-down bullpens tomorrow in Worcester. McGuire still likely to be active at some point in Seattle.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2023 19:02:51 GMT -5
resting players in a play off hunt is pure bullshit
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2023 4:20:02 GMT -5
Sell Sell Sell Sell
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2023 5:14:45 GMT -5
Cal Raleigh homers twice as Mariners stay hot and topple Red Sox 6-2 AP
SEATTLE (AP) Cal Raleigh hit a pair of solo home runs off Nick Pivetta, Julio Rodríguez added a two-run single as part of a four-run eighth inning, and the Seattle Mariners moved a season-best four games over .500 with a 6-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Seattle (55-51) concluded its most successful month of the season, going 17-9 in July and inched closer in the AL West and wild card races.
But the successful month wasn’t enough for the Mariners front office to keep from selling off a few pieces. Seattle’s afternoon started with closer Paul Sewald being traded to Arizona and outfielder AJ Pollock getting dealt to San Francisco.
The day ended with the Mariners reaching their highwater mark for the season.
Raleigh hit a towering fly ball leading off the second inning that had enough carry to sneak into the right field seats for his 15th homer of the season. His 16th with one out in the seventh inning was a no-doubter off the bat and stayed inside the foul pole to give Seattle the lead.
It was Raleigh’s fourth multi-homer game this season and second in the past two weeks after hitting a pair on July 22 against Toronto.
The two homers were the only mistakes by Pivetta, who was otherwise outstanding in his return to Boston’s rotation. Starting for the first time since May 16, Pivetta (7-6) pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowed five hits and struck out 10.
But Seattle was able to score four times in the eight with Rodríguez lining a single off reliever Joe Jacques down the right-field line to score a pair, and Eugenio Suarez and Teoscar Hernandez following with RBI singles.
Boston lost its third straight and has scored three runs or less in four straight games.
Boston’s first run came courtesy of a play straight off the youth baseball field. Jarren Duran walked to open the game, stole second, immediately advanced to third as catcher Tom Murphy’s throw airmailed into center field and scampered home as Rodríguez’s throw from the outfield got past Suárez at third base.
While Seattle’s defense was shaky in that moment, it came through later with key plays by Suárez and second baseman Jose Caballero, and Rodríguez running down Pablo Reyes’ liner in right-center field.
Matt Brash (6-3) was one of five relievers used by the Mariners after starter George Kirby labored through five innings. Justin Turner's infield single with two outs in the ninth scored Wong, but Turner walked off the field with a slight limp after beating out the slow grounder.
ROSTER MOVE
Boston placed LHP Joely Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with right hip inflammation and recalled Jacques from Triple-A Worcester. Rodriguez has pitched only 11 innings all season due to a combination of an oblique injury and shoulder inflammation.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Brayan Bello (7-6, 3.66) has pitched at least six innings in four of his past five starts. Bello allowed three runs over six innings in his last outing against Atlanta.
Mariners: RHP Bryce Miller (7-3, 3.96) picked up the win in his last start despite giving up six runs and four homers to Minnesota. In his past two starts at home, Miller has allowed one earned run in 10 1/3 innings pitched.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2023 5:16:39 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Turner (left heel contusion) day to day 3:37 AM ADT LATEST NEWS
July 31: DH Justin Turner (left heel contusion) day to day Given Turner's importance to the Red Sox, the last thing the club wanted to see was the veteran limping as he beat out an infield hit in the top of the ninth in Monday's 6-2 defeat in Seattle. Jorge Alfaro came on to run for Turner. However, Turner got out of it without a significant injury.
The diagnosis for Turner is a left heel contusion and he is day to day. It wouldn't be surprising for manager Alex Cora to give Turner the night off in the middle game with hopes of getting him back in the lineup by Wednesday's series finale.
July 31: LHP Joely Rodríguez (right hip) placed on 15-day IL retroactive to July 29; LHP Joe Jacques recalled from Triple-A Worcester Rodríguez has been unable to stay healthy for a sustained period of time this season, as this is his third trip to the injured list, this time due to right hip woes. To replace Rodríguez in the bullpen, Boston recalled Jacques, who had been optioned after Friday night's game against the Giants.
Rodríguez had finally gotten into a nice groove before his latest injury, posting six consecutive scoreless outings. The Red Sox are hoping the left-hander serves the minimum amount of time on the IL, which would enable him to return on Aug. 13.
July 31: C Reese McGuire (right oblique strain) will be activated in Seattle McGuire, Boston's backup catcher, has finished his rehab assignment and will rejoin the club on either Tuesday or Wednesday in Seattle. The left-handed hitter went on the 10-day injured list on June 22 with a right oblique strain.
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right elbow inflammation) Expected return: August or September Whitlock on Aug. 1 will throw his third bullpen session since going on other injured list. This one will be an up-and-down, meaning he will simulate two innings. Whitlock is close to going on a Minor League rehab assignment.
His role is up in the air until the Red Sox can assess their pitching staff after the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He has been used exclusively as a starter this season, going 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA. (Last updated: July 31)
RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) Expected return: August Houck will join his best friend and teammate Whitlock by throwing an up-and-down bullpen session at Triple-A Worcester on Aug. 1. Houck is likely to throw a live BP session a few days after that and then start a Minor League rehab assingnment. Houck's role going forward will be determined once the Sox get through the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline. He's been used exclusively as a starter so far this season. (Last updated: July 31)
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