Sox Hopeful for Crochet and Houck as Playoff Push Intensifies

Boston is weighing relief help down the stretch as Garrett Crochet progresses with bullpen work and could rejoin the postseason bullpen if no setbacks, while Tanner Houck advances in his Tommy John rehab with a Blue–Chip plan to throw ~45 pitches in Double-A before possibly moving to Triple-A. Justin Slaten’s elbow inflammation has shut him down again, leaving the Sox to rely on younger arms in the middle innings. Crochet’s previous 205 1/3-inning, 2.59 ERA season and Houck’s 2024-25 trajectory underscore the value of a healthy return for Boston’s relief corps heading into the playoffs.