Red Sox' Tanner Houck returns for finale; Gasper, Guerrero ruled out for Wild Card Series

The Red Sox will activate Tanner Houck from the injured list to start Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cubs at Tropicana Field, where Boston will serve as the home team after the game was relocated because of the nor’easter.

Houck, 30, has spent the season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He posted a 3.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with nine strikeouts and four walks over four minor league rehab appearances.

After finishing seventh in the American League with a 3.12 ERA over 30 starts in 2024, Houck struggled to an 0-3 record and 8.04 ERA over nine starts before undergoing surgery and missing the remainder of last season.

To make room, Boston optioned right-hander Jedixson Paez to Triple-A Worcester and transferred outfielder Eli White to the 60-day injured list.

The Red Sox also officially placed Mickey Gasper and reliever Tyron Guerrero on the injured list, ruling both out for the Wild Card Series against the Yankees.

Gasper suffered what manager Chad Tracy described as a “significant” right biceps injury while striking out during the fifth inning of Friday’s 4-3 win over the Cubs.

“At this point, it looks like a significant biceps injury, so he’s going to still be seeing more doctors and stuff like that,” Tracy said Friday. “We’ll get the final conclusion, but it’s a pretty significant biceps injury. It’s probably going to take him out.”

Gasper, 30, emerged as a valuable and versatile piece for the Red Sox this season, batting .251 with a .357 on-base percentage, .466 slugging percentage and .823 OPS over 67 games. He had 10 doubles, nine homers and 24 RBI while making starts at catcher, first base and designated hitter.

Between Boston and Triple-A Worcester, Gasper hit 19 home runs this season. His ability to handle multiple roles made him a useful piece of Boston’s roster and makes his loss ahead of the Wild Card Series particularly significant.

There was better news regarding Willson Contreras. After missing the past week with a hand injury, the All-Star first baseman is back in Sunday’s lineup, batting third as the designated hitter. His return would provide a significant boost before Boston opens its Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Boston recalled right-hander Wyatt Olds to replace Guerrero and Nate Eaton to take Gasper’s roster spot.

Guerrero had emerged as an important middle-inning option, posting a 3.10 ERA with 19 holds over 40 appearances.

The veteran reliever had only recently returned from the injured list after missing 17 games with right shoulder inflammation. He was activated last Sunday and made two scoreless appearances this parst week, working an inning against the Rays and another against the Guardians. 

The move indicates Guerrero has suffered a setback, and thins out the Sox' bullpen ahead of the postseason. Boston will now be without one it's top weapons for the Wild Card Series and will need someone else to step up in the middle innings ahead of Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman. 

Eaton, 29, has appeared in 23 games for the Red Sox this season, going 7-for-48 with two doubles and a home run. His defensive versatility gives the Sox another option across the outfield, where he has made six starts in left, six in center, and three in right field. 

Olds, meanwhile, has a 1.20 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 15 innings in 13 appearances for Boston. He has recorded a 2.00 ERA with 12 strikeouts over nine innings in seven September appearances and was recently named the recipient of the organization’s Lou Gorman Award.

Paez pitched well in Game 2 of the doubleheader on Friday against the Cubs. He came in to pitch in relief of Brayan Bello and tossed five scoreless frames to finish the game. He limited the Cubs to three hits without issuing a walk while striking out four. 

The 22-year-old made his big league debut this season and has appeared in five games, splitting time with the White Sox and Red Sox. He has allowed 14 runs with eight strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings of work. 

Red Sox-Yankees Wild Card Series Returns Postseason Baseball to NBC

The Red Sox and Yankees will renew their rivalry on a national stage when the best-of-three American League Wild Card Series begins Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

All games in the series will be carried across NBC Sports platforms, including NBC, Peacock and NBC Sports Network. This year’s Wild Card round marks the return of postseason baseball to NBC for the first time since the 2000 ALCS.

The Red Sox-Yankees series is scheduled to run Tuesday through Thursday, with Game 3 played only if necessary.

Spanish-language coverage will be available on Universo and Univision, while ESPN Radio will provide national radio coverage of the postseason.