Kim Klement-USA Today Sports
The Boston Red Sox have not had the services of star pitcher Clay Buchholz in nearly three months and major league baseball fans are well aware of his importance and return down the stretch to the team’s chances at making a run at a World Series title.
Over the weekend, Buchholz made his first rehab start since landing on the disabled list and it didn’t exactly dazzle anyone in return. Buchholz allowed three runs — one earned — while throwing 38 pitches collectively. His velocity at that time was in the upper 80s, so bottom line is that his first rehab start was nothing spectacular by any means.
Overall however, his statistics at Class A Lowell are not the most important factor as he looks to ascend back to the major league level.
The simple fact that Buchholz is on pace to return to the Red Sox soon is the most critical part of the equation. He is scheduled to make one more rehab start on Friday and if he can complete that without any problems, a return to Boston with the rosters expanding once September hits is what the organization has planned out.
With the race atop the AL East still in Boston’s possession for the time being, the importance of having Buchholz back in the rotation is the biggest key moving forward. A shaky rehab start with no overall barring other than some simple game experience is not a worry for Boston.
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