Buchholz To Miss Next Start, Aceves Steps In To Take Bump

May 17, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) walks off the mound after finishing the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Boston’s ceaseless injury caravan pulled up to the pitcher’s mound today. Clay Buchholz (7-0, 1.73 ERA), has been scratched from his next start against the Phillies with irritation in his collarbone and AC joint and in his place will be Alfredo Aceves. Strangely enough this is just the situation in which Aceves excels. Throw him a wild card and he’s focused and up to the challenges. It’s when Boston tries to find a regular spot for him that he loses it. If it’s a spot start everything is jake. If it turns into more than that, strap in and prepare for yourselves for the Alfredo Aceves thrill ride.

“There’s no real concern or harm to the throwing shoulder,” Red Sox manager John Farrell told MLB.com’s Zack Meisel of Buchholz’s injury, “but it’s irritating enough that he doesn’t feel 100 percent and really precautionary, more than anything. We’ve backed him out of it.”

With that being said, remember that Aceves has been very bad in 2013. He has a 8.20 ERA in six appearances (three starts) this season. The last time he started a game on April 23 he surrendered eight runs during a 13-0 thumping at the hands of  the Oakland As.