Ray set to start for D-Backs on Wednesday
MIAMI – Imagine how good the NL West-leading Diamondbacks would be if they had a healthy starting rotation.
Just when it appeared that the injury-wracked Diamondbacks’ pitching staff was on the mend with the longawaited season debut of right-hander Shelby Miller here Monday night and the unexpected return of southpaw Robbie Ray this week, Arizona placed Clay Buchholz on the 10-day disabled list with an oblique strain of his left side.
The bad news was offset by manager Torey Lovullo’s pregame announcement that Ray would forgo his final rehab start for Triple-A Reno and start Wednesday against the Marlins.
Ray, 26, out since April 29 with an oblique strain in an abbreviated start against the Nationals, was 15-5 with a sparking 2.89 ERA for Arizona last year, making his first All-Star team.
“Luckily we have some built-in depth,” Lovullo said. “Unfortunately, Clay goes out, but the timing of it couldn’t have worked out any better with Shelby and Robbie being as ready as they both were.
“We’re excited for the new guys coming in … but also hurt for Clay because we know he was throwing the ball well, too.”
Buchholz, (2-1, 2.56 ERA), injured his side swinging and missing a pitch from Pittsburgh starter Trevor Williams in the fifth inning of Sunday’s 3-0 victory that completed a fourgame sweep by the Diamondbacks.
Buchholz, 33, was pulled after one more scoreless inning, giving him five shutout frames while allowing two hits and striking out five for his first victory since June 1.
“I want to make sure it’s right, before I get on the mound again,” Buchholz said Monday. “It will probably feel better in four days … but it would take a lot longer that that (if I remained in the game). Better safe than sorry.”
Buchholz, who was signed by the Diamondbacks on May 5 after the Royals released him, is a two-time All-Star who helped the Red Sox win the World Series in 2013. He underwent flexor tendon surgery after just two appearances with the Phillies in 2017.
“I guess I have to remember I’m not a hitter anymore,” Buchholz cracked. “I’m a pitcher. Once you practice it and hit a couple of balls hard you want to get on base for the other guys.”
Buchholz, who spent the first 10 years of his career with Boston in the AL, is a career .111 hitter (3 for 27).
Because of Buchholz’s injury history, Lovullo didn’t want to take any chances.
“I know Clay a long time and I know he’d take the ball and go out there, but he’s had a long journey the past 13 months with the arm surgery he had,” Lovullo said.
More good news
The Diamondbacks, who had won five of six entering Monday, will soon be bolstering their batting lineup, too, as outfielders A.J. Pollock and Steven Souza Jr. have been cleared for specific baseball activities.
Pollock, who has been out since May 15 after fracturing his left thumb while diving for a ball in the outfield in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, will start slowly. He'll hit off a tee in the batting cage and eventually take batting practice against coaches before beginning a rehab assignment.
Lovullo said that Souza threw up to 120 feet Monday and felt no pain. He will be cleared to go out on assignment as a DH only.