Buchholz will make his return Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays to start a crucial three-game series between the American League East’s best teams, and the right-hander’s return to the rotation means Felix Doubront is the odd man out. Manager John Farrell announced Sunday that the left-handed starter would be skipped this time through the rotation, but it’s unclear where Doubront will fit into the mix moving forward.
“We feel like [going with] the guys who are keeping the game under control,” Farrell told reporters Sunday in the Bronx. “With Felix, we feel like he needs some added days right now.”
Doubront picked a rough time to start to hit the wall with Buchholz getting set to finally return. Doubront is 2-1 in his last six starts (five of which the Red Sox have actually won), but he has a 6.60 ERA in those games, and opposing hitters are hitting .287 against the southpaw. He’s made two starts in September, giving up a total of 10 runs on 10 hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Buchholz, who threw a bullpen session Sunday in New York, hasn’t pitched since June 8. He was 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA at the time he went on the disabled list. He’s expected to throw 75-80 pitches Tuesday.