Buchholz has stress fracture, likely out for year - 美國職棒

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CHICAGO -- With the benefit of hindsight, it's easy to now understand why the
Red Sox spent so much time and energy on finding a starting pitcher at the
trade deadline.

Clay Buchholz, who's been out six weeks, is suffering from a stress fracture
in his lower back, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

It's unlikely that Buchholz will pitch again this season, though a return in
the postseason has not entirely been ruled out yet.

Buchholz, whose last start was June 16, is scheduled to see noted back
specialist Dr. Thomas Watkins in Los Angeles Monday. But Watkins will likely
only confirm what has already been diagnosed.

Buchholz threw off the mound last Monday and told reporters afterward that he
felt the session was a step in the right direction, adding that he felt about
80 percent recovered.

"I think it's going to feel better," Buchholz said at the time. "There was
still a little soreness coming off after I threw. I sat down for about 10
minutes, did a couple stretches and it felt better. This is, I think, the
biggest step in the right direction so far in this process."

However, the very next day, Buchholz experienced some additional soreness and
underwent an MRI, which revealed the stress fracture. Previously, the
official diagnosis had been that Buchholz was battling stress inflammation of
the back.

Such injuries are rare for pitchers. They are more common in position
players. New York Mets third baseman David Wright was diagnosed with a stress
fracture in mid-May and only recently returned, having missed about two
months.

No surgery is required for a stress fracture, which is usually healed with
rest and treatment.

It's possible Buchholz could be physically ready sometime in September to
resume pitching. By then, however, the seasons for every minor-league
affiliate would be complete and there would be no venue for which Buchholz
could rehab.

Without the benefit of live game conditions to build arm strength, it would
be difficult for Buchholz to return late in the season. It's conceivable, the
source said, that Buchholz could pitch in relief in the postseason, but that
would be asking a great deal for someone who will not have faced major league
hitters since mid-June.

General manager Theo Epstein, in a conference call with reporters Sunday to
discuss the team's acquisition of Erik Bedard, said, "Clearly, we have some
concern for Clay. It's been almost a couple of months now, which is longer
than we expected it to be. We're still awaiting some more feedback and
another opinion. I think we have a feel for what may be going on, but Clay is
seeing another expert to get his opinion, then we're all going to put our
heads together this week.

"I'll refrain from answering in too much detail until we have a chance to
talk to Clay and we all have a chance to talk things through. Clearly any
time a pitcher of his caliber isn't on the mound for a while and throws a
side as he did on Monday but then can't necessarily back it up with another
side and getting out there on a rehab assignment, there's some concern."

The Sox may have held off on making any announcement on Buchholz's condition
out of fear that the news would cost them leverage in trade talks with
opposing teams leading up to Sunday's deadline.

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