Red Sox fans have been wondering when to expect Clay Buchholz to be back in the starting rotation after he was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 5. It appears now that his return will be slightly delayed.
All reports indicate that Buchholz will make a rehab start Friday night with Pawtucket. While no one has told him definitively one way or the other yet, all signs point to a minor league start before rejoining Boston.
... [A]fter a conversation with pitching coach John Farrell yesterday, Buchholz got the impression that he will be throwing only three to four innings, and that it would likely come in a rehab appearance.
"Just from the tone that I was talking to him, yeah," Buchholz said, when asked if he thought the start would be in the minors. "I don't think it will be right at Fenway or anything like that right off the bat. Either way, I'll get on the mound and throw to live hitters and go from there."
According to Sean McAdam at CSNNE, the rehab start will take place in Syracuse, with Pawtucket (there's been talk about whether it would be with Pawtucket, Portland or Lowell).
Let's hope his start goes well in Pawtucket and he is able to quickly return to the starting rotation. Rookie pitcher Felix Doubrant will be taking the Red Sox' start instead of Buchholz Friday night.