News: Last Sept. 1, Clay Buchholz dazzled the baseball world by throwing a no-hitter for the Boston Red Sox in just his second-major league start. But heading into the anniversary of that feat, Buchholz is with the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston's Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League. Portland plays its last regular-season game Monday. "This is definitely a roller coaster for me," the 24-year-old Buchholz said before a recent Sea Dogs' game. "The adversity that came toward me this year started in spring training and never quit. It just pounded me all year." He had one of his better days Saturday, striking out 10 in eight innings to lead the Sea Dogs to a 7-0 victory over the visiting New Hampshire Fisher Cats. He gave up two hits and one walk.

Analysis: Buchholz is a sleeper for starts with the contending Red Sox down the stretch, but expect him to work out of the bullpen initially. Consider him a must-have in long-term keeper leagues, though. He will enter spring 2009 with a rotation spot to lose

News: Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz struck out eight batters in his latest start for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. He allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings in a game his team lost 6-5.

Analysis: Consider Buchholz a September call-up at this point, but it is very doubtful he gets starts for the Red Sox down the stretch now. He's working on getting some seasoning in the minors so that he'll hopefully be ready for use in the rotation again in 2009

Dan Hickling, of The Boston Globe, reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz gave up four runs (three earned) and five hits while striking out eight and walking none with Double-A Portland Monday, Aug. 25. He threw 93 total pitches, 69 for strikes. He is scheduled to pitch again Saturday, Aug. 30, with Portland.

News: Another poor performance by Boston starter Clay Buchholz cost the right-hander a spot on the Red Sox roster. Ramon Hernandez and Melvin Mora hit three-run homers, and the Baltimore Orioles overcame an early deficit to beat Buchholz and the Red Sox 11-6 on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep. Buchholz (2-9) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings, the shortest start of his career. The 24-year-old, who threw a no-hitter against the Orioles last September, is 0-7 in nine starts since May 2. After a game in which only 30 of his 60 pitches were for strikes, Buchholz was optioned to Double-A Portland. "People have tough games. I've had a tough season," said Buchholz, who spent two months in Triple-A from mid-May to July 11. "Down there is where you develop. Up here it's a pennant race. ... If you ask if the decision was right, I'd say it was."

Analysis: Buchholz was given an early 4-0 lead but couldn't make it stand up. He has a 6.75 ERA and opponents are batting .299 against him. "Tough situation. We're in a pennant race and we're in Boston and a lot of focus is on him and he feels the responsibility," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. "I think coming into this game we were all excited about watching him pitch, but the way it unraveled makes it kind of obvious we had to do something." Buchholz started with a 1-2-3 inning, but gave up three runs in the second and was yanked after hitting a batter and walking another in the third. "Instead of going out there and gritting my teeth and say I'm going to get this guy out, I go out there and think, 'What's going to happen next?"' he said. "That's not a very high confidence level." Consider Buchholz a September call-up at this point, but it is very doubtful he gets starts for the Red Sox down the stretch now

Red Sox optioned RHP Clay Buchholz to Double-A Portland. The Red Sox likely would have skipped his next start anyway, and with the minor league season ending in a week and a half, the team wants him to have a couple of chances to gain some confidence. He'll be back in September, but might not rejoin Boston's rotation.

Dating back to May 12, Buchholz has now lost seven straight decisions. The talented but scuffling rookie now sports a 8.48 ERA 28 2/3 second-half innings and is safe to cut bait with in mixed league formats. He is currently slated to square off against the Yankees at the Bronx next time out.

Following another troublesome outing, Boston manager Terry Francona announced pitcher Clay Buchholz, who allowed five runs over 2-1/3 innings in an 11-6 Sox loss to the Orioles was demoted to Double-A Portland to work out his pitching issues, according to the Boston Herald.Buchholz has never been able to find his rhythm all season. The team has tinkered with his arm angle, but that hasn't worked. The team did not make a corresponding move yet.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after Wednesday's game that the team will send Clay Buchholz to Double-A Portland. Buchholz is 0-4 with a 9.64 ERA in his last five appearances, and he hasn't made a quality start since April, so the team will send him down to get "a renewed start." Boston is off on both Thursday and Tuesday, so Tim Wakefield could be ready the next time Boston needs a fifth starter.Related: Tim Wakefield

Nick Cafardo, of The Boston Globe, reports the Boston Red Sox optioned SP Clay Buchholz to Double-A Portland Wednesday, Aug. 20, to work out his pitching issues, according to manager Terry Francona.

David Ginsburg, of The Associated Press, reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz gave up five runs and three hits while walking three in 2 1/3 innings Wednesday, Aug. 20, which was the shortest start of his career. He is 0-7 in nine starts since May 2.

News: Clay Buchholz (2-9) allowed five runs, three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings against Baltimore on Wednesday night. It was the shortest start of his career.

Analysis: The right-hander, who threw a no-hitter against the Orioles last September, is 0-7 in nine starts since May 2. It is uncertain when he'll make his next start with Paul Byrd joining the Red Sox rotation. That makes him nothing more than an AL-only reserve until he sees another start

Boston suffered a horrific loss, 11-6, to division-rival Baltimore this evening, giving RHP Clay Buchholz a hard time to get started. Buchholz lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (all earned) on just three hits with three walks and no strikesouts.Surprisingly, Buchholz failed to surrender a single home run. He hasn't seen a win since May 2nd and has struggled to get on track over these last few weeks, giving up 14 earned runs over his last three starts (totaing just 11 1/3 innings).

Clay Buchholz struggled again on Wednesday night, lasting only 2 1/3 innings while surrendering five runs on three hits and three walks. Buchholz only managed to put 30 of his 60 pitches in the strike zone. He's 0-4 with a 9.64 ERA over his past five appearances (four starts). Who knows how much longer the Sox can continue to run him out there in a playoff race.

The game was as ugly as could be in today's loss to Toronto, but the Red Sox identified an opportunity to get Clay Buchholz a bit of work, according to the Providence Journal.Buchholz, who has struggled for most of the season, had been pushed back in the rotation by the arrival of Paul Byrd and the rainout on Friday night. The rookie right-hander had been scheduled to start yesterday. The Orioles start will be Buchholz’s first in 10 days.

News: Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz, pushed back in the rotation after recent struggles and again with a rainout Friday, gave up a run in an inning of relief during Sunday's 15-4 loss to the Blue Jays. Buchholz allowed one hit, one walk and struck out one.

Analysis: Buchholz is still slated to start Wednesday against the Orioles despite getting an inning of work in Sunday. It's not like it can hurt since Buchholz hasn't been very good this season for Boston. There is long-term potential with Buchholz, but he remains a low-end Fantasy SP until he can right the ship

Steven Krasner, of The Providence Journal, reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz will start Wednesday, Aug. 20.

With Friday's rainout, Clay Buchholz will have his start pushed back to next Wednesday, according to the Boston Herald. Buchholz was supposed to start on Sunday.Buchholz's original turn in the rotation was actually tonight, but he was pushed back for Paul Byrd. Buchholz's rotation spot will be in serious jeopardy when Tim Wakefield and/or Bartolo Colon return.

Clay Buchholz will have his next start skipped due to Friday's rainout. Paul Byrd will start Saturday, Josh Beckett will be pushed back to Sunday, followed by Jon Lester, Daisuke Matsuzaka and then Buchholz on Sunday.Source: Boston Herald

The Red Sox have announced that Clay Buccholz will remain in the team's starting rotation. Buchholz will be replaced on Friday by Paul Byrd, but he'll make a start two days later. Thanks to Charlie Zink's terrible outing, Buchholz keeps his job despite being 0-5 and without a quality start in his last six outings. Still, he might be booted once Tim Wakefield returns.Source: Boston Herald

The Red Sox have announced that Clay Buccholz will remain in the team's starting rotation. Buchholz will be replaced on Friday by Paul Byrd, but he'll make a start two days later. Thanks to Charlie Zink's terrible outing, Buchholz keeps his job despite being 0-5 and without a quality start in his last six outings.Source: Boston Herald

The Red Sox have announced that Clay Buccholz will remain in the team's starting rotation. Buchholz will be replaced on Friday by Paul Byrd, but he'll make a start two days later on Sunday despite being 0-5 and without a quality start in his last six outings.Source: Boston Herald

News: According to The Sports Xchange notes: RHP Paul Byrd was acquired by the Red Sox in a deal that will send a player to be named or cash considerations back to the Cleveland Indians. The 37-year-old Byrd, who is 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts this season, brings a veteran starting presence to the Sox in a period of uncertainty with RHP Tim Wakefield on the 15-day disabled list and RHP Clay Buchholz suffering through prolonged growing pains. Byrd will start for Boston on Friday against Toronto, taking Buchholz's turn in the rotation. "By no means are we giving up on Clay Buchholz. Far from it," said Sox GM Theo Epstein. "We still think he's going to be a big part of our future -- and may well prove to be big part of our present."

Analysis: The trade for Byrd takes Buchholz's spot now, but Wakefield's spot is still open for the taking Sunday because Charlie Zink was ushered right back to the minors. Consider Buchholz nothing more than a high-risk starting pitcher at this point. He is much better than he has shown this season, but he will have to prove effective and worthy of a rotation spot before he can be trusted in any Fantasy league again

Skipper Terry Francona alerted Buchholz of the move during Tuesday's on-field workout at Fenway Park. The Red Sox manager emphasized that despite his recent struggled, Buchholz remains a major part of the club's future plans, stating,"This kid is important to us," Francona said. "He's OK. There's a lot of reasons why you invest in young kids in the big leagues. He's not a quitter; things aren't going as smoothly as you'd want them to. Things are going to get better." An announcement has not been made as to whether the 24-year-old righty, who owns a 7.42 ERA since rejoining the big league club July 11, will remain in Boston's bullpen or return to Triple-A as a starter.

Paul Byrd will make the start on Friday for the Red Sox, which is the day that Clay Buchholz was supposed to take the mound, according to the Boston Globe. The Red Sox still have not announced their plans for Buchholz, but he has been so atrocious lately, his starting spot is certainly in jeopardy.We're not sure why anybody would possess the young right-hander on their fantasy squad, but if you do, now might be the time to relieve him of those duties as well.

Clay Buchholz will remain in the Red Sox starting rotation even after being hammered in his last start to fall to 2-8 with a 6.32 ERA, according to MLB.com. "We've been so committed to this guy," manager Terry Francona said. "We're spending our energy, [pitching coach] John Farrell and I spent a bunch of time with him today, trying to help"That's confidence for you. Buchholz posses some top flight stuff but he has struggled with both control and how to best utilize his physical talents. As good as the Red Sox are they simply can't continue to run a guy out there if he continues to stink up the joint, so Friday's start against the Blue Jays might be a make or break outing for the youngster.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that Clay Buchholz will remain in the rotation despite going 0-5 in his last six starts. He's slated to pitch Friday against the Blue Jays. "We kind of talked about it today," Francona said. "We've been so committed to this guy. We're spending our energy, [pitching coach] John Farrell and I spent a bunch of time with him today, trying to help. There's a fine line there between giving a kid too much."Source: MLB.com

The Associated Press reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz struggled once again Sunday, Aug. 10, against the Chicago White Sox, as he surrendered a 3-0 Boston lead and lost. He is 0-6 in his last eight starts and still is searching for his first win since May 2.

Buchholz just can't get it going, as the talented 23-year-old has lost six consecutive decisions dating back to May 12. Buchholz now owns a 6.32 ERA on the year, is likely on the verge of a demotion back to Triple-A Pawtucket and should be avoided outside of keeper and dynasty formats.

Once again, Clay Buchholz got hammered, lasting only three innings in the Red Sox 6-5 loss to the White Sox. The right-hander allowed five runs on seven hits, including three home runs.Buchholz picked up his eighth loss, and since May 7, he has given up less than four earned runs in a start just one time. He has no place in fantasy leagues.

Clay Buchholz gave up five runs and three homers in three-plus innings Sunday versus the White Sox. It could have been worse, but David Aardsma was able to strand both runners he inherited after coming in during the fourth. The Red Sox really could have used better from Buchholz on a day in which they lost Tim Wakefield. He's 0-5 in six starts since being recalled from Triple-A, and now that the Red Sox are down one knuckleballer, maybe they will consider having Charlie Zink join the rotation. It probably wouldn't happen in Wakefield's place on Tuesday -- he'd be going on three days' rest -- but a switch could come in Buchholz's slot. Bartolo Colon will also be an option after one or two more rehab starts.

Mike Shalin, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz is 0-2 in three starts since the All-Star break. In those three starts he has given up 21 hits and 17 runs (12 earned) in 16 1/3 innings pitched. He is also 0-4 in his last four decisions.

The Hartford Courant reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz suffered his fifth road defeat of the season and fifth straight loss overall since May 2. Buchholz went six innings, allowing four runs, seven hits and three walks in a 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

News: Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz lost for the seventh time in nine decisions Monday at Kansas City, giving up four runs on seven hits in six innings. He issued three walks and recorded four strikeouts. He has now lost five of his last six starts and each of his last five decisions.

Analysis: Buchholz's losing streak began in mid-May, before he spent two months in the minors, but he hasn't looked any better since his return, posting a 6.59 ERA in five starts. He has the potential to develop into a Fantasy ace someday, but reserve him for now. His next start is scheduled for Sunday at the White Sox

Buccholz continues to struggle off the mound, losing each of his four decisions since returning from the Minors on July 11. The 23-year-old right-hander sports a 6.58 ERA and a 24/16 K/BB ratio over his latest 27 1/3-inning stint and should be left on most fantasy benches when he squares off against the heavy-hitting White Sox at cozy U.S. Cellular Field next.

Clay Buchholz lost his seventh game of the year to the Kansas City Royals, going six innings and allowing four earned runs.Buchholz has undoubtedly been a disappointment to fantasy owners who expected so much after his sizzling debut last year.

Mike Shalin, of MLB.com, reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz is 0-2 in three starts since the All-Star break. In those three starts he has given up 21 hits and 17 runs (12 earned) in 16 1/3 innings pitched. He is also 0-4 in his last four decisions.

MLB.com reports Boston Red Sox SP Clay Buchholz (2-6, 5.94 ERA) will start Monday, Aug. 4, against the Kansas City Royals.