Tanner Houck (elbow) struck out three in a scoreless innings during a minor league rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday.

Houck figures to make it back to Boston in a relief role before the regular season wraps up. The 30-year-old former starter has made three rehab outings in the minors over the last few weeks and should be close to returning to the majors for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last year.