Red Sox Report 7/20/11: Buchholz Done?

Email to a friend Permalink

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

Red Sox righthander Clay Buchholz threw from 120 feet Monday which is another step in the process toward returning to the Boston rotation. The problem is that he still feels discomfort in his lower back after playing long toss.

Buchholz will play long toss once again Wednesday in Baltimore and, if all goes well, he could attempt to throw off the mound this weekend.

The 26-year old is frustrated with the injury but is trying to be patient as he rehabilitates his sore back. His manager Terry Francona says that the long toss hasn't been the big issue thus far. The true test is throwing off the mound and seeing how the back reacts.

One thing is for sure, the Red Sox organization always airs on the side of caution with their injured players, particularly starting pitchers. So don't expect to see Buchholz pitching a game for Boston for at least another few weeks at the very earliest. And even that may be optimistic.

Other Notes:

-Sox ss Jed Lowrie is progressing slowly from his shoulder injury and is hitting balls off of a tee at the moment. Marco Scutaro has been handling the shortstop duties in his absence.

-Still no controversey with JD Drew and JJ Reddick. With David Ortiz serving game 2 of his 3-game suspension, Carl Crawford served as Boston's DH last night with Jacoby Ellsbury in center, Reddick in left and Drew in right. Reddick went 3-4 to lift his average to .367 while Drew went 1-3 to lift his average to a mere .223. It will be intersting to see how Francona handles things when Big Papi returns to the line-up Friday night in Boston.

-Dustin Perdoia's first inning single extended his hitting streak to a career-best 17 games.