FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Tanner Houck is, officially, unsure what his role is going to be with the 2023 Red Sox. But one thing he does know is that he's in better position to do whatever is asked of him because, for a change, he's healthy.
Houck underwent surgery on his lower back last September to repair a disc issue that had been nagging him. This spring, after an offseason's worth of rest and rehab, he feels better than any time he can remember.
"Feeling great,'' said Houck. "I think a lot of the stuff that I had last year is cleared up now. I've cleaned up a lot of my delivery as well. It was something with the back. It's always been bugging me a little bit over the years. Now that that's cleaned up, hopefully it will be guns blazing and I'll be ready to go. I feel a lot more mobile. I think it was something that I needed to get done for a little while, kind of clean some stuff up. But now I feel 100 percent better.''
"He's a full go,'' said Alex Cora. "He's in a great place and you can see it.''
The Red Sox rotation is a crowded one. Assuming they're healthy -- admittedly, no guarantee -- the Sox will have Chris Sale, James Paxton and Corey Kluber, joined by Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and Nick Pivetta. That's six candidates for five spots, and doesn't include Houck or someone like Kutter Crawford.
Houck was instructed to prepare to start before spring training began, with the understanding that he could end up in the bullpen.
"Not my decision,'' he said of his potential role. "I would love to start. It's what I've done my whole career. I love starting. But at the end of the day, I have to help the team win whenever possible.''
While Houck is willing to do whatever the Sox ask, a part of him desperately wishes to be in the rotation.
"I have a chip on my shoulder,'' he said. "I believe I know I can (start), and I know I can do it well, so I'll go out there, put my best foot forward every day and let them make the decision from there.''
Regardless of how he's used, his preparation will be the same. Likewise, his approach won't change, regardless of whether he starts or relieves.
"I've always gone about the role, whatever role I've been in, the same way -- go out there and throw strikes,'' he said. That's step No. 1 and continue on that path. Whatever role you're in, if you're not throwing strikes, if you're attacking the zone with all your pitches, you're probably not going to get your name called as often. So my main goal this year is to go out there and be competitive in the zone when I need to expand. For the most part, just go out there and attack hitters.''
Even if Houck is assigned to the bullpen, the Sox will want to maximize his usage. With newcomer Chris Martin and holdover John Schreiber among the options for the eighth inning, Houck would be a bulk reliever, giving the Sox two to three innings at a time.
"As many innings as possible'' said Cora. "If he is in the bullpen, he'll go multiple innings. We have to maximize him.
When Houck debuted late in 2020, he was basically a two-pitch pitcher. But he's improved his splitter to go with his slider and fastball and feels more confident with it than ever before.
"Splitter is definitely improved by leaps and bounds this year,'' he said. "I feel a lot more comfortable with it throwing it in all counts now. I felt that way a little bit last year, being in a bullpen role. Didn't need it as often, but (if I'm) in a starting role, I know I'm going to have to add that in.''
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Cora is impressed with Alex Verdugo's physical conditioning and mindset in camp.
"We're very pleased with where he's at,'' said Cora. "He's always had a great attitude, but physically, he's a lot different than last year. I do believe he feels a lot better than the last few years. Physically he got his body in position to be ready for spring training. He changed a few things. He's moving well. He understands it's a big year. I'm not saying he had a horrible year last year. He was actually really good toward the end. But there's more there.
"People go through stages and they learn. I do believe he learned his lesson last year. Like he's said, he's tired of people talking (crap) about him. He put in the work and he's in a better place.''
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The Sox will use a bevy of non-roster invitees and prospects against Northeastern University Friday... Josh Winckowski will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Kutter Crawford set to face Minnesota on Monday. Corey Kluber will start Tuesday in Jupiter against the Marlins... Saturday's starter against Atlanta is still to be determined... Chris Sale threw an up-and-down side session and came through fine. Next up is a live batting practice session, set for Saturday... Brayan Bello played catch for a second straight day, this time from a distance of 75 feet... When Houck and John Schreiber threw live BP inside JetBlue Park, the Sox had the pitch clock in use to help the pitchers prepare. "Everything felt normal,'' said Cora of the tempo.