Red Sox scratch Tanner Houck from scheduled start at Yankee Stadium because of shoulder fatigue

NEW YORK (AP) — Tanner Houck was scratched from his scheduled start for the Boston Red Sox on Friday night against the New York Yankees due to right shoulder fatigue.

Rookie right-hander Richard Fitts replaced Houck on the mound at Yankee Stadium, making his second career start in a game with playoff implications for both teams.

The switch was made a little less than an hour before the first pitch.

The 28-year-old Houck, who earned his first All-Star selection this season, is 8-10 with a 3.24 ERA in 28 starts. He has thrown 169 2/3 innings — his previous career high was 106 last year.

Houck hasn't pitched since Sept. 4 in New York against the Mets . He took the loss in that game, allowing four runs and five hits in five innings while throwing 84 pitches. His next turn was pushed back a few days because of soreness.

Houck is 0-4 in nine starts since his most recent win July 11 against Oakland.

Fitts was acquired from the Yankees last December in the trade that sent outfielder Alex Verdugo to New York — a rare deal between the longtime rivals.

The 24-year-old Fitts made his major league debut Sunday at Fenway Park, permitting two runs — none earned — and six hits over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox. He struck out two, walked one and threw 44 of his 66 pitches for strikes.

Boston began the night 4 1/2 games behind Minnesota for the final AL wild card. New York had the best record in the American League at 85-62 and was two games ahead of second-place Baltimore in the AL East.

In other injury-related news, reliever Liam Hendriks said he still hopes to pitch for the Red Sox this season despite a small setback in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery — but that will largely depend on whether they remain in the pennant race.

Hendriks will receive a cortisone injection in his right elbow Monday in Boston and then be shut down for about three days before he resumes throwing.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb