Tanner Houck could go the rest of the year without throwing another pitch and his season would be a success. The right-hander has set a new career high in innings pitched, earned his first All-Star nod and established himself as a dependable starter,

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tanner Houck (shoulder fatigue) is still on schedule to start Wednesday. The Red Sox and Rays will play at 6:50 p.m. here at Tropicana Field. Boston lost 8-3 here Tuesday to drop to below .500 (75-76) for the first time since June 11.

The Boston Red Sox were expected to have Tanner Houck on the mound for their Friday night game against the New York Yankees in The Bronx, but an hour before the game, Boston pivoted to Richard Fitts as the team's starter.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox scratched ace Tanner Houck just 55 minutes before first pitch Friday at Yankee Stadium because of shoulder fatigue. But manager Alex Cora sounded confident Houck will start Wednesday against the Rays here at Tropicana Field.

Houck, who was skipped in the rotation twice because of fatigue, made his first start since Sept. 4. and pitched well over four innings and 60 pitches.