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Injured Red Sox ace Clay Buchholz resumes throwing

There's no timetable for a return just yet, but he's no longer shut down.

By Marc Normandin
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Clay Buchholz was shut down following an MRI that revealed inflammation in his shoulder, but the Red Sox ace has now resumed throwing, according to MLB.com's Michael Perriatt. John Farrell described how the throwing program would work for Buchholz:

"He threw out to 60 feet [Tuesday], which is basically the first step or the first day we have mapped out in the throwing program," manager John Farrell said. "No issues. The throwing program will be outlined to 60, 90, 120 at a varying number of throws or a progressive number of throws before we get him on the mound. We don't have a specific date right now that he would get back on the mound."

So, there's no timetable, but so long as there isn't any pain and the inflammation has indeed subsided, Buchholz should be able to complete the throwing program, then move on to bullpen sessions, and finally, rehab starts. Once all that is complete, he can rejoin the Red Sox rotation.

Red Sox trade rumors: Sox scouting Matt Garza before trade deadline

 Boston is keeping an eye on a pitcher they've long coveted.

Luckily, in Buchholz's absence, the Red Sox have managed to stay atop the AL East, and it's also given pitching prospect Allen Webster a chance to learn in the majors as well. Webster has had a couple of rough outings with the Sox, but did well in his last start in place of Buchholz, and will try to do so again to close out the three-game series with the Padres on Thursday.

Boston will very carefully monitor Buchholz's progress, as, if it turns out that he won't be ready to return anytime soon, it could change the way they operate at the trade deadline. They believe they have enough depth between Webster, Alfredo Aceves, and Rubby De La Rosa to keep the rotation temporarily afloat, but if something should go awry in Buchholz's recovery prior to the trade deadline, as Alex Speir points out, more depth could be acquired.

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