The Boston Red Sox expect Clay Buchholz to make his return next Tuesday when they host the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander was placed on the DL on Wednesday, retroactive to June 9, with a strained trapezius muscle in his neck.
"He went out and threw today, out to 100 feet, did some flat ground [work]," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "We're hopeful that he'll get on the mound here in the next day or two. And he'll need to in advance of Tuesday. The ideal scenario would be for him to get an extended bullpen or have some ups and downs in it."
The expectation is that Buchholz will be able to throw three simulated innings on Saturday and if he has no problem with that, he will be able to pitch against the Rockies.
"At this point, we're still scheduled with him on Tuesday, and yet we've got to get through some specific work sessions over the next couple of days to remain consistent with that."
Buchholz threw a bullpen session Tuesday, but didn't show that he had made enough progress to pitch over the weekend, which is why Boston put him on the DL. He is eligible to be activated on Tuesday, which he will be if all goes well.
The Red Sox will be glad to get Buchholz, who is 9-0 in his last 12 starts, back. Boston has lost two straight and five of their last eight to see their lead over the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East shrink to one game.
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