Clay Buchholz likely to miss season with stress fracture – MLB News
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz has been diagnosed with a stress fracture and is most probably out for the season as he was moved to the 60-day disabled list.
The right-handed pitcher was placed on 15-day disabled list on June 19 but has not recovered to date. He was moved to the 60-day disabled list on Sunday, July 31 just before the trade deadline to get hold of Erik Bedard. This move is likely to strengthen
the pitching outfit of the Red Sox who undoubtedly have the best batting line-up in the Majors.
What had initially been termed as a lower back strain turned into a stress fracture after a bull-pen session on July 25. Buchholz pitched around 30 deliveries in the session which was followed by immediate soreness but extra stress on the next day brought
him to the attention of the medical staff which, supported by MRI scans, confirmed a stress fracture.
The MRI tests, although carried out last week, were not released until late Monday and the club had reiterated its stance on the injury as a muscle strain. Last week, when asked about Buchholz status to pitch this year, manager Terry Francona said, "Not
right now. It's not the simplest muscle strain we've ever seen."
Red Sox do not have a strong pitching outfit and Clay’s long absence and a likely exit from this season will pose more trouble for the second placed team in the Majors. Although they have acquired Bedard as insurance for the injured starter, he might have
to replace Buchholz for a longer-term.
This is Boston’s second loss this season after Daisuke Matsuzaka who was ruled out on May 17 with a right elbow strain. Red Sox need to hold on to their pool of players to stay in contention for the top spot in MLB this season.
Buchholz started in 14 games this season and was phenomenal in almost all of them. His win-loss record stands at 6-3 and he has bagged 60 strike-outs in total this season. What has inspired the most this season is his ERA of 3.48.
Buchholz has been injury prone since his debut in MLB. In his four years at the Majors, he has started just 76 games and has bagged 342 strike-outs. He has been consistent at the mound but what needs to be more consistent is his fitness.
Bedard is 4-7 for the season so far and is scheduled to make his start for the Red Sox on Thursday, August 4 against the Cleveland Indians. Bedard’s form has not been at its best this season but his performance is expected to spike when he plays among a
well-knit unit.
However, the team management is confident of Clay’s return. He is expected to get fit earlier but what matters the most is his fitness to make it back and then sustain the workload of the Majors.
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