Report: Former D-backs pitcher Clay Buchholz to sign with Blue Jays
Feb 28, 2019, 6:07 PM | Updated: 6:07 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Clay Buchholz works against a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
(AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
Former Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Clay Buchholz is set to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand.
Buchholz was a revelation for the D-backs last season, making 16 starts and posting a record of 7-2 with a 2.01 ERA. He filled in for Taijuan Walker’s spot in the rotation when Walker had Tommy John surgery in late April.
Signed in May while the season was already underway, Buchholz had agreed to a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals in March before being released in May.
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He was called up later that month by the D-backs and gave up a total of five earned runs over his first four starts and 24.0 innings. Buchholz missed a month of action due to an oblique strain but returned in late July and was absolutely sensational to end the season. In his last nine outings of the season that added up to 59.2 innings, Buchholz gave up a total of 11 earned runs.
In mid-September, a flexor strain in his right arm ended his season. That was the same arm Buchholz had surgery on in 2017.
In Buchholz’s place at the back-end of the D-backs’ rotation is expected to be the newly acquired Luke Weaver and Merrill Kelly.
