Veteran right-hander Clay Buchholz, who hasn't pitched in the majors in more than a year, is likely to start for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday against the New York Mets, manager Torey Lovullo said.
Buchholz is expected to be called up from Triple-A Reno for the start, giving Zack Greinke extra rest. Greinke would be pushed back a day to pitch Monday in Milwaukee.
With some bad weather in the forecast, the Diamondbacks are hoping Buchholz won't have any trouble traveling across the country and getting to New York in time.
Buchholz, 33, agreed to a minor league deal with the D-backs on May 4, three days after he was released by the Kansas City Royals.
He was 1-0 with a 1.12 ERA in three starts in the Royals' minor league system. In 16 innings, he allowed 10 hits, including 2 home runs, struck out 9 and walked 7. He had an agreement with the Royals that if he wasn't called up to the majors by May 1, he would be released.
Buchholz played 10 seasons for the Red Sox, compiling a career ERA of 3.96 in 188 starts. Before the 2017 season, he was traded from Boston to Philadelphia, but he made only two starts before having surgery in April to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right arm.
Buchholz's most recent major league start came for the Phillies on April 11, 2017, when he allowed six runs in 2â…“ innings in a loss to the New York Mets.
D-backs general manager Mike Hazen is familiar with Buchholz from his time in the Red Sox organization, where he was director of player development and then general manager. He left Boston in 2016 for Arizona.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
