Red Sox place Steven Wright on 15-day DL

Jul 31, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (35) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (35) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox placed Steven Wright on the 15-Day disabled list and Hanley Ramirez on the three-day bereavement list.

The Red Sox apparently have lost the services of their most significant pinch runner – Steven Wright – to the 15-day disabled list. Wright suffered an injured shoulder when he was summoned to perform his best imitation of Usain Bolt in a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Red Sox also announced that first baseman Hanley Ramirez will be placed on the three-day bereavement list and that left-hander Roenis Elias has been optioned to Pawtucket. No further indication of any roster changes with the absence of Ramirez.

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Wright last pitched on August 5th and completed an impressive nine-inning shutout of the Dodgers in an interleague contest. The 31-year-old knuckleballer has been an important cog in the Red Sox rotation with a 13-5 record and ERA of 3.01. Wright also leads the American League in complete games (4) and has the lowest HR/9 (0.5) in the AL.

Wright’s DL stint will be retroactive to last Monday.

“With there being no structural damage, it’s bursitis, so it’s a little inflamed,” Wright explained to Rob Bradford of WEEI on Saturday. “If the pain doesn’t go away, it’s just about if it’s tolerable enough to pitch through. Right now, I don’t know. I right now, it’s 50-50. It all depends on how I feel when I get off the mound.”

The Red Sox will rely on Clay Buchholz for another replacement start until Wright is recovered. Buchholz who celebra,ted his 32nd birthday today, pitched 4.1 innings against Arizona on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits. Buchholz also walked three and struck out one.

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Buchholz will take the mound in Detroit on Thursday afternoon as a starter during a very disappointing season in which he has posted a 6.30 ERA in 75.2 innings in that role.