Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck is in stable condition after suffering a facial fracture from a line drive to the head on Friday, the team announced Saturday.
Houck is reportedly resting at home after being evaluated at Mass General Hospital, with follow-up appointments next week to determine his treatment plan. No timetable was provided for his return.
The injury was the result of a scary scene during a game against the New York Yankees, in which Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka hit an 89.7 mph liner that connected with Houck's face. The right-hander immediately fell to his knees on the mound and was seen bleeding.
Houck eventually left under his own power while being guided by athletic trainers.
Scary situation in Boston as Tanner Houck gets hit in the face.
— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) June 17, 2023
Prayers for him and hoping everything is alright. pic.twitter.com/nva2QBwLgk
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the game, a 15-5 Red Sox win, that Houck was responsive and knew where he was, per ESPN, with a cut that required stitches.
Houck is a significant loss for the Red Sox. He currently leads the team in innings pitched with 67 2/3 in 13 starts, though he has struggled with a 5.05 ERA while working exclusively as a starter. Before this season, he held a career 3.02 ERA in 146 innings, with 20 starts in 53 appearances.
The injury clearly could have been worse, so the fact that he's in stable condition is good news enough given how badly some pitchers have been hurt by comebackers in the past.
