John Farrell: Clay Buchholz Not ‘In Purgatory,’ But In ‘Difficult Spot’

BOSTON — Clay Buchholz’s current situation isn’t a secret around Fenway Park.

The veteran right-hander, who’s been with the Red Sox for all 10 seasons of his career, knows he could be a trade candidate before Major League Baseball’s Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline. And Red Sox manager John Farrell was pretty open Thursday about the conundrum the team has found itself in with Buchholz after the former starter didn’t make an appearance in Wednesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

“If we’re down 8-3, he’s probably the guy,” Farrell said of Buchholz before Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. “But when you’re up 8-5, and with the number of guys that were available (Wednesday) night, I’ll be honest with you, if we’re sitting in this situation (Thursday), you’re possibly asking why doesn’t he use Clay if the game turned the other way and not use your other guys.

“He’s in a tough spot. I’ll be candid. I wouldn’t say it’s purgatory, but as far as baseball goes, he’s in a difficult spot. Because of a four-day layoff over the break, we’ve played very good baseball, we’ve gotten starts deeper into ballgames where the bullpen has been rested, and that’s where the decisions have come in.”

Farrell said Buchholz has been throwing early bullpens and staying loose during games, but the skipper made it pretty clear he only wants Buchholz on the mound in extra innings or when the Red Sox already are down.

“I had to keep him behind Brad (Ziegler on Wednesday) in the event that all the left-handers coming, things got away from him,” Farrell said. “He finds himself in a spot where he’s got to protect for length late in the ballgame if we’re in a tied situation. And fortunately for all of us, we haven’t found ourselves being on the down side with early exits from starters.”

Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images