Buchholz Set To Start Saturday Against Rays
BOSTON (CBS) – The Boston Red Sox may have limped into the All-Star break, but at least they'll be getting some reinforcements back when they return from their four-day hiatus.
Clay Buchholz tossed 2.1 scoreless innings for the Pawtucket Red Sox on Sunday, allowing just one hit and a pair of walks while striking out three, and is scheduled to return from the DL and start next Saturday against the Rays in St. Petersburg.
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Buchholz On Return:
With the Red Sox playing a night game against the Yankees, manager Bobby Valentine was able to watch Buchholz throw 43 pitches (the game was televised on NESN) and liked what he saw.
"He looked pretty much the way we needed him to look for those 40 pitches," said Valentine. "I'm glad he got his spikes wet in Triple-A and he's confident he'll be able to give us some length on the second game out."
Buchholz has been sidelined since mid-June after a bout with esophagitis landed him in the hospital for nearly a week. Back at Fenway, the right-hander admitted he was a bit gassed while pitching on a very hot day down in Pawtucket, but was able to battle through his fatigue.
"Physically I felt good. Going out there and warming up I felt like I was going to get tired pretty quick, but it never really happened," he said. "I caught a second wind about 15 pitches into the first inning and it kept me all the way through the next two. Everything was good, just a little rusty there in the first. The command wasn't all that well with the fastball, but I was able to throw some curveballs for strikes and a couple off-speed pitches."
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Buchholz will throw again during the All-Star break to prepare him for Saturday's start. On the season, Buchholz is 8-2 with a 5.53 ERA in 14 starts.
Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury is also expected to return from the disabled list and return for Boston during their three-game set against the Rays.
