The Boston Red Sox scratched starting pitcher Tanner Houck because of right shoulder fatigue shortly before they continued a four-game series with the host New York Yankees on Friday night.
Rookie right-hander Richard Fitts replaced Houck for his second career start.
Houck had his turn in the rotation pushed back due to the fatigue, and the Red Sox did not announce until Thursday that he was starting. He had been slated to pitch for the first time since allowing four runs on five hits in an 8-3 loss to the host New York Mets on Sept. 4.
Houck is 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander has pitched a career-high 169⅔ innings over 28 starts after throwing 106 innings in 21 starts last season.
Fitts made his major league debut Sunday and allowed two unearned runs on six hits in 5⅔ innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox.
The Red Sox acquired Fitts along with reliever Greg Weissert from the Yankees in a December trade for Alex Verdugo.
Also Friday, 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.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
