The Red Sox got a piece of good news today, learning that the recently injured Clay Buchholz will be ready to pitch again on Friday. Buchholz was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday due to some discomfort with his collarbone. Alfredo Aceves was promoted to fill his spot, and pitched well, allowing just a run in six innings before being demoted again at the end of his night. However, Buchholz is fully recovered after a short break and will take on the Yankees in New York on Friday, squaring off against a starter to be named for the Yankees.
May 17, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
It will be a great help to have Buchholz back in the rotation to face the Yankees, with whom the Red Sox are in a dogfight for first place in the AL East. Buchholz has been the best pitcher on the Red Sox this year, and one of, if not the best in baseball. Through his first 10 starts, Buchholz is 7-0 with a 1.73 ERA while striking out a batter per inning and showing off a 2.70 K:BB ratio, both career highs for the 28 year old right-hander.
The return of Buchholz will shake up the Red Sox’ rotation a little bit. Buchholz will return to the #2 starter role behind Jon Lester that he was in to start the season and behind them, the rotation will shake out with Felix Doubront and likely Ryan Dempster behind him, though Dempster’s place is yet to be announced. In any case, it’s great that Buchholz only missed a start and hopefully he’ll be back in full force for a must-win game.