BOSTON -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz threw a 20-pitch “front-toss” bullpen session Friday at Fenway Park as he works his way back toward a potential appearance before the season ends. Buchholz, who has been on the disabled list since July 11 with an elbow ailment, threw lightly to a catcher standing in front of the plate. It was his first mound session in roughly two months.
The veteran was pain-free coming out of the session and will be evaluated Saturday to determine the next step, said interim manager Torey Lovullo. If he is able to move forward, Buchholz will engage in a more traditional bullpen session and then might attempt to pitch on the team’s season-ending seven-game road trip.
“The report was that there was a lot of energy, a lot of intensity; he was finishing the pitches,” Lovullo said. “The conversation I had with Clay after, he was very encouraged, pain-free. Those are the things we’re looking for.”
Lovullo said it was very unlikely Buchholz would be given a start, but a relief appearance is not out of the question. While it might seem small on the surface, the club sees merit in some real action for Buchholz entering the offseason.
“It’s the idea of getting him on the mound, with the slant, feeling the rubber, feeling the dirt on his spikes,” Lovullo said. “There’s a lot to be said for that for a player that’s trying to build confidence and trying to come back from an injury.”
Buchholz was enjoying a nice run when he was hurt. He is 7-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 18 starts.
While Buchholz aims for what could be his first relief appearance since 2008, Craig Breslow is on tap to make his first career start Saturday against Baltimore.
Lovullo announced earlier in the week that he would use a collection of bullpen arms to piece together that outing as the club looks to spread out its rotation down the stretch. He figures Breslow is good for about 40 pitches and that Jonathan Aro is a likely candidate to take over, but that could change.
“It will all work off of what Breslow gives us,” Lovullo said. “If Craig walks through four innings, which is possible, and we’re winning the game, we’re going to look to win the game. We’ll maneuver our bullpen the way we would if we had a lead in the fifth or sixth inning.”
The team has yet to announce its starters for the upcoming four-game series in Yankee Stadium. Lovullo has said repeatedly that with respect for the playoff race, the Red Sox will utilize four legitimate starters. Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rich Hill are a likely quartet.
