Clay Buchholz is slated to return to Boston for another campaign.
The Red Sox announced amid several roster moves Thursday that they exercised Buchholz’s team option for the 2017 season. Terms of the option were not disclosed in the press release issued by the team, but previous reports have indicated that it’s worth $13.5 million.
Buchholz, who was drafted by the Red Sox in 2005, has spent his entire career with the organization, posting an 81-61 record and a 3.96 ERA in 206 appearances (188 starts) over parts of 10 seasons. The right-hander went 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA in 37 appearances (21 starts) while bouncing between the rotation and bullpen in 2016.
Buchholz, the longest tenured member of Boston’s pitching staff, has never pitched more than 189 1/3 innings or made more than 29 starts in any season, but he’s pitched at a high level at various points throughout his career. The 32-year-old earned All-Star selections in 2010 and 2013.
The Red Sox also announced Thursday that they declined their 2017 contract option on catcher Ryan Hanigan. Terms of Hanigan’s option weren’t disclosed, either, but previous reports have indicated that Boston held a $3.75 million club option on the 36-year-old backstop.
Hanigan is coming off a disappointing, injury plagued season in which he hit .171 with one home run, 14 RBIs and a .468 OPS in 113 plate appearances over 35 games. The Red Sox have other viable catchers on their roster, including Sandy Leon, Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart, so Hanigan was expendable, especially given his performance.
As a formality, the Red Sox exercised their 2017 contract option on designated hitter David Ortiz. Don’t expect Big Papi to come walking through those doors, though. He is retired and has given no indication that his plans are changing.
Swihart, third baseman Pablo Sandoval and right-handed pitchers Carson Smith and Brandon Workman were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Infielder Josh Rutledge was reinstated from the 60-day DL and outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Thumbnail photo via Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports Images
