Red Sox Clay Buchholz Placed on DL with Neck Strain

The Boston Red Sox have placed Clay Buchholz on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained trapezius muscle in his neck, retroactive to June 9. Buchholz has been nagged by the injury since his last start on June 8 and has battled health issues over the past few weeks, as he has only made two starts since May 22.

Buchholz threw a bullpen session before the second game of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays, but was clearly not ready to start on Tuesday evening.

As a result, Buchholz will make a stint on the DL and will not be available to return to the rotation until next week’s series against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park.

In 12 starts this season, Buchholz has posted a perfect 9-0 record and major league-best 1.71 ERA in 84 1/3 innings of work, cementing his name amongst the top starting pitchers in the league and as an early contender for the American League Cy Young Award.

Boston is expected to replace Buchholz’s spot in the rotation with Allen Webster, who may receive a call-up from Triple-A Pawtucket within the next couple of days. Webster is coming off of a six scoreless inning performance against Triple-A Buffalo last Friday.

Catching prospect Ryan Lavarnway and reliever Alex Wilson were both recalled from Pawtucket on Tuesday. Lavarnway is expected to fill in for an injured David Ross, while Wilson will be expected to help bolster the Boston bullpen for the summer stretch ahead.