Buchholz latest to land on DL

Red Sox Notebook

June 20, 2011|By Michael Vega, Globe Staff

The NHL champion Bruins brought the Stanley Cup to Fenway Park yesterday… (Jim Davis/Globe Staff )

While the Red Sox managed to take two of three games from the Brewers, yesterday’s 12-3 victory did not come without a toll, as righthander Clay Buchholz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower-back strain.

Buchholz became the third Sox player in as many games to land on the DL after shortstop Jed Lowrie (left shoulder strain) Friday and left fielder Carl Crawford (left hamstring strain) Saturday.

Manager Terry Francona said Buchholz, who already had been pushed back two days, had not been disabled because of any setbacks in his treatment.

“It cost him basically a week,’’ said Francona. “So we got a chance to basically get him healthy for the rest of the year. Being a competitor he wanted to pitch, but it was the right thing to do.’’

Buchholz, who had been pushed back once before to rest his back, agreed it was best.

“Felt good for one start, then it came back,’’ he said. “I’ll miss a whole start right now and go at it this way. A little more rest and hopefully it won’t be anything that’s going to bother me for the rest of the season.

“I think that’s the road we’re trying to take. Hopefully, we can knock it all out now and not have to worry about it in September-October.’’

In a corresponding move, the Sox added lefthander Andrew Miller to the 40-man roster from Triple A Pawtucket. He will start tonight against the Padres.

“We’re hoping to see exactly what he’s been doing his last four starts in Triple A,’’ Francona said of Miller, who was 2-1 with a 1.78 ERA over that span. “One start doesn’t make or break your career, but we just want to see him pound the zone with his good stuff. He’s really done a terrific job. There’s a lot to like about this kid.

“You’ve got to get a little bit lucky with some pitching. And, hopefully, maybe we’ll be the recipients of that.’’