MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck is scheduled to have surgery next week to insert a plate to help a facial fracture heal after he was hit by a batted ball.
Houck was hit below the right eye by a line drive from the New York Yankees' Kyle Higashioka on Friday night. The 26-year-old right-hander saw a doctor Tuesday and it was determined a plate was needed.
Boston manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that the outcome was a "best-case scenario" for Houck because he was hit below the eye and temple. Cora said he envisions Houck returning to pitch this season.
"Sounds bad, right? Fracture," Cora said. "But the fact that he knows he's going to be part of this, it's good. It's the best news we can get."
Cora said there's currently no timetable for Houck's return.
Houck received stitches after the incident and was checked at a hospital after he walked off the mound on his own with a towel covering his bleeding face. He's 3-6 with 5.05 ERA this season, making 13 starts.
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