When Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz went on the disabled list with a back injury, it was supposed to be a 15-day deal. Nothing too serious, just something that warranted a break. Then Buchholz had a setback. Then Buchholz had another setback. He's throwing, but he's still not close to a return, and so it comes as little surprise that the Red Sox are rather concerned. Alex Speier:
Clay Buchholz Injury: Red Sox Concerned About Pitcher’s Ailing Back
It is no longer simply a matter of "when" Clay Buchholz will come back from a back issue that has now had him on the disabled list for more than five weeks. Other questions are starting to creep into the equation, such as "if" and "in what capacity."
The Red Sox are publicly denying any worry, but Buchholz had a throwing session canceled so he could visit with a back specialist, and Speier suggests that there’s dread within the organization that Buchholz might be dealing with a structural problem, rather than a muscular problem. More should be known soon, but it stands to reason that a structural problem would be a bigger deal.
Whatever the case, here’s what we do know: Buchholz is not on the verge of returning to the rotation. He may be getting close. He may be very far away. But a return isn’t imminent and may not happen at all, which is why the Red Sox are so active in trade negotiations with other teams selling starters. Despite their first place standing, the Sox want to be able to trust their arms, and with all the problems they’ve experienced, adding a starter seems almost necessary, if only as insurance.
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