Clay Buchholz hasn’t pitched since July 10. And he’s not too thrilled about it.
Buchholz, currently on the disabled list with a right elbow strain, hasn’t been cleared to begin throwing despite an encouraging visit last week with Dr. James Andrews. The right-hander received a plasma-rich platelet injection from Andrews, who confirmed the Boston Red Sox’s initial diagnosis, last month after the Major League Baseball All-Star break. It’s been a conservative process ever since.
“Dr. Andrews, he was really adamant about making sure I take my time with it,” Buchholz told reporters, including MLB.com’s Ian Browne, before Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park. “He said there’s nothing structurally wrong, nothing surgery-wise. There’s no need for that. But he did say he’s seen this same thing turn into surgery if you don’t watch it closely.”
Buchholz is running out of time to return this season. The Red Sox enter Saturday with just 40 games remaining on the schedule and Buchholz still would need to ramp up before taking the mound.
According to Buchholz, Andrews said he’d be OK with the 31-year-old throwing if the Red Sox were in the midst of a playoff push. But with Boston in last place, a return is looking less and less likely.
“I’d really love to pitch in a game,” Buchholz said, according to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham. “Whenever they give me the OK, I’m going to try and get through as quickly as I can.”
Buchholz’s contract situation — the Red Sox own a $13 million club option on him for 2016 — adds to the ongoing saga. A $13 million salary is a bargain for someone with Buchholz’s talent when healthy, but his injuries have piled up over the years. The Sox, especially new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, might want to see him in action before going into an important offseason.
Either way, Buchholz is champing at the bit to start throwing.
“I’m on the cusp of going a little crazy,” Buchholz said, according to Browne.
It’s definitely been a frustrating period for both Buchholz and the Red Sox.
Thumbnail photo via Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports Images
