Clay Buchholz could pitch in a game once the Red Sox get to Baltimore next week, Terry Francona told reporters at Yankee Stadium on Friday.
Buchholz threw 40 pitches in a simulation indoors at the stadium, his third time on the mound since Saturday, when he had his first bullpen session in over two months. The right-hander also threw a 32-pitch simulated game Tuesday at Fenway Park.
Francona said Buchholz will not appear in a game over the weekend in New York. Boston closes the regular season with three games in Baltimore starting Monday.
Buchholz last appeared in a game June 16, leaving that start after five innings with back pain. He was eventually diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back.
In other pitching news, Francona announced that he will start John Lackey on Sunday in the finale against the Yankees. Josh Beckett is in line to start Monday in Baltimore and Erik Bedard may go Tuesday, although Francona has not announced his starters for that series.
