Clay Buchholz reinstated from DL, Koch optioned to Reno
Jul 24, 2018, 12:22 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Clay Buchholz delivers against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, May 26, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
(AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)
After going on the 10-day disabled list in June, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Clay Buchholz is ready to be back in the rotation.
The pitcher went on the 10-day DL with an oblique strain on June 25, but was reinstated by the team on Tuesday.
In a corresponding move, the D-backs optioned Matt Koch to Triple-A Reno following Monday’s game.
The 34-year-old will start on Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo announced Sunday.
Buchholz threw a bullpen session on Sunday to confirm he felt well enough to pitch. He only needed one rehab start at Visalia; on Thursday, he struck out six and gave up four hits over six innings of work.
He will replace Shelby Miller, who hurt his right elbow during his one inning of work on July 11, in the starting rotation.
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It could be a long-term fix to a rotation that has struggled recently. Buchholz has an ERA of 2.56 over seven starts, and allowed one run or fewer in five of them.
Though a small sample size, he’s shown more consistency than any pitcher on the team outside All-Stars Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin. Robbie Ray hasn’t been able to return to 2017 form, Zack Godley has been inconsistent and the team doesn’t have a fifth starter qualified for the ERA title.
First pitch on Tuesday will be at 5:05 p.m. Catch all the action on ESPN 620 AM.
