BOSTON — Clay Buchholz will require some down time.
The Red Sox placed Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor strain before Saturday’s game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Boston called up pitcher Brian Johnson from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Buchholz’s spot on the active roster.
Buchholz exited Friday’s start in the fourth inning with right elbow tightness. An MRI revealed no structural damage and he’s expected to pitch again this season, but the right-hander will go through a shutdown period before building back up to full strength. As such, there’s no timetable for his return.
Johnson’s call-up is the first of his career. The 24-year-old is available out of the bullpen this weekend for the Red Sox’s final two games before the All-Star break. He’s then a candidate to join Boston’s rotation coming out of the break, though manager John Farrell has yet to set an alignment.
Johnson, who was named the Red Sox’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2014, has been sensational with Pawtucket this season. The left-hander went 8-6 with a 2.73 ERA in 16 starts for the PawSox, earning him a spot on the International League All-Star team.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@985TheSportsHub
