Clay Buchholz tossed 32 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday, where he faced hitters for the first time since being placed on the disabled list back on June 16. Buchholz threw 25 warm-up pitches and then 32 more pitches in the simulated game. Jose Iglesias, Lars Anderson, Ryan Lavarnway and Joey Gathright were the batters he faced.
Buchholz wasn't perfect, as expected, but show moderate velocity, Alex Speier of WEEI.com wrote.
The right-hander suggested that he was throwing at 85 to 90 percent intensity, holding back only because he didn't want to injure any teammates if he hit them with his fastball. He threw his complete repertoire of a fastball, curveball, changeup and cutter, and suggested that his arm reacted well to the full assortment of pitches.
Buchholz could take part in another simulated game on Thursday or Friday when the Red Sox head to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees. If Buchholz progresses enough, he could potentially be used out of the bullpen come the postseason, if the Red Sox even make it that far. As for today's simulation, it was a good step forward.
"That's the team's call if they want me to come back, get some innings in [against Baltimore]. Gotta see how this postseason run is going to be and go from there," said Buchholz. "[Pitching in the playoffs is] what I want to do. Today was a first step in that direction and everything felt good."
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