The fantasy ramifications are pretty straightforward. Rookie sensation Hunter Dobbins will keep his spot in Boston’s rotation with Walker Buehler (shoulder) coming off the injured list next week to take Houck’s vacant spot. It’ll likely be a bullpen game or spot starter taking the ball on Sunday against Atlanta. The 28-year-old righty will get some time away from the spotlight to attempt to put things back together from a mental and physical standpoint after struggling to a calamitous 8.04 ERA through nine starts to open the season.

It’s not exactly a vote of confidence. It sounds like the Red Sox are leaving all options on the table before considering their next move, which could involve jettisoning Houck to the minors in what would essentially be a full-scale reset. The 28-year-old righty was torched for 11 runs on Monday in a loss to the Tigers. The move would leave rookie Hunter Dobbins in Boston’s rotation even after Walker Buehler (shoulder) returns next week from the injured list. We’ll have updates on the developing situation as it unfolds in the coming days.

After his brutal start on Monday, Houck admitted this is “probably the most lost [he’s] ever been.” The struggles really began in the second half of last season, but Houck now has an 8.04 ERA and has allowed double-digit runs in less than three innings twice this season already. Houck does have minor league options remaining, so the Red Sox could simply send him to Triple-A and give him time to figure out what’s going out. If they were to do so, that would allow Hunter Dobbins to stay in the rotation even after Walker Buehler returns next week.

Unreal. Houck failed to record a strikeout and was battered for a staggering nine hits, including homers by Gleyber Torres and Trey Sweeney. He also handed out three walks, just for good measure. It was the second time in nine starts this season that he’s allowed double-digit runs. The latest meltdown leaves him with a calamitous 8.04 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 32/17 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings (nine starts). He’s radioactive for fantasy purposes and simply can’t be trusted when he takes the ball on Sunday against Atlanta at Fenway Park. At this point, there’s a decent chance the Red Sox elect to keep rookie Hunter Dobbins in the big leagues and ship Houck to the minors once Walker Buehler (shoulder) is ready to return next week from the injured list.