Buchholz Shut Down For Undetermined Amount Of Time
BOSTON (CBS) -- When Clay Buchholz first took the mound on April 6, we all kind of knew this day was coming.
There's no timetable for when Boston's No. 1 started will return to the mound this season. The team isn't even sure when he'll pick up a baseball again.
Buchholz was placed on the 15-day disabled list 12 days ago with a strained flexor muscle in his right elbow, and after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection on Wednesday, is being shut down for an unknown amount of time.
He opted not to get the injection when recommended by the Boston medical staff a few weeks ago, but changed his tune after receiving a second opinion on the injury from Dr. James Andrews in Florida this week. Andrews' diagnosis also confirmed what the Red Sox team doctors had already found.
But with the injection comes weeks of inactivity, and now it's unclear when Buchholz will pick up a baseball again. He had thrown twice since the initial injury.
The PRP injection was recently used on Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman in April, who later required Tommy John surgery and was placed on the 60-day disabled list. Carl Crawford also received the injection back in 2012 and also required Tommy John surgery on his left elbow.
However, it doesn't always lead to the players having to go under the knife. Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale received the injection last April and spent a month on the DL before returning to the mound in dominant fashion.
Boston believes Buchholz's injury is not as bad as Workman's and Crawford's were, and don't think there is the structural damage that will eventually require Tommy John surgery.
John Farrell sounded somewhat confident Buchholz would return when asked if it's possible he may not pitch again this season.
"I wouldn't go that far," said Farrell. "To say there is a definitive timeline on when he puts a ball back in his hand is yet to be determined. That will be at further recommendation of Dr. Andrews and as we continue to get all the information and put it together."
But with Buchholz, you just never know.
