It’s official: Steven Wright is going to miss a third start.
Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Sunday, via the Providence Journal’s Tim Britton, that Clay Buchholz will start in place of the knuckleballer when his next turn comes around Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Red Sox want Wright, who’s on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation, to pitch another bullpen and hopefully start some time this weekend against the Kansas City Royals.
It’s not the news the Red Sox wanted, especially not after a disastrous spot start from Henry Owens in Sunday’s 10-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers. However, Buchholz has held down the fort in his two starts for Wright. He earned a no-decision in both, but his last outing against the Tigers on Thursday was strong until it was spoiled by the bullpen.
Either way, the lack of starting pitching depth certainly is showing for the Red Sox right now.
Here are some notes from Sunday’s loss.
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— After Owens’ rough outing, Farrell said the Red Sox hope Eduardo Rodriguez can make his next start, but they’ll be conservative if they have to be.
— The Tigers’ big third inning really started when Owens dealt an intentional walk to Miguel Cabrera to get to right fielder J.D. Martinez. It was an interesting decision, considering Martinez has been on fire, but it also was kind of a lose-lose.
“Personally, I don’t like to put guys in a bases-loaded situation,” Farrell said, per Britton. “Part of it is understanding the hitter. Cabrera is so good in those situations; we felt like we were going to attack Martinez.”
To Owens’ credit, Martinez’s two-run double was a product of great hitting rather than bad pitching, as it came on a nice changeup that Martinez was able to squeeze into right field.
— On the bright side, the Toronto Blue Jays also lost Sunday after the Cleveland Indians came back in the eighth inning, so the Red Sox remain a half-game out of first place in the American League East.
— The Red Sox’s 11-game road trip still has been successful despite Sunday’s loss. They’re currently 5-2 and have a four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays beginning Monday.
— Jackie Bradley Jr. is in need of a spark after going 1-for-17 in the Tigers series. The center fielder is batting a surprising .192 (14-for-73) in August.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
