Buchholz to battle for spot in Jays’ rotation
Crafty veteran unafraid to pitch in dens of AL East beasts, writes Rob Longley.
He’s 34 years old DUNEDIN, FLA. and some of his most electric stuff might be behind him, but Clay Buchholz isn’t even remotely intimidated about returning to face the batting beasts of the American League East.
It was in Boston in the not-always-pitcher-friendly park that the veteran right-hander was a two-time all-star with the Red Sox, a team with which he collected a couple of World Series rings. The newest Blue Jays reclamation arm joined the team on Tuesday, got settled in his locker, and had a throwing session while dodging raindrops at Dunedin Stadium. Despite a lengthy off-season wait to get a deal, Buchholz is ready to battle for a starting spot in the Jays’ rotation.
“I’m not scared to pitch in Fenway,” Buchholz said inside the Jays’ clubhouse. “I’m not scared to pitch in Yankee Stadium. There are some guys, especially younger dudes, it’s a different animal pitching in those ballparks. “Having done that before, I feel pretty comfortable with the direction we’re going.”
On a one-year deal for US$3 million, the risk is minimal for the Jays, especially if the crafty veteran can follow up on an impressive career renaissance last season in Arizona. To make room for the new acquisition, the Jays designated outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. for assignment. After starting the 2018 campaign with the Diamondbacks’ triple-A team in Reno, Buchholz was promoted and laid down a 7-2 record from 16 starts with a frugal 2.01 ERA. The Texas native shut down his season in mid-September due to arm fatigue, but said he’s healthy and feeling strong.
Jays general manager Ross Atkins signed Buchholz to add depth, but expects him to be in the rotation once he hits stride. “Having him as a starter will be our focus,” Atkins said. “If that means it’s a little bit later in the season, we’ll adjust.”
The addition of Buchholz creates what’s shaping up as an interesting three-way battle for two spots in the rotation. Assuming Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez and Matt Shoemaker hold down the first three spots, Buchholz, Clayton Richard and Ryan Borucki will tussle for the next two.
All but Borucki are coming off seasons with injury concerns, but at least Atkins has acquired some of the pitching depth that he made an off-season priority. The key to remaining competitive, Buchholz feels, is to be crafty in his approach.
“I don’t feel like I’m old, but in the game, 34 is sort of old now,” said Buchholz, who has an 11-3 career record and 2.63 ERA at the Rogers Centre. “There were a couple of times in the last two years where I thought it might be over, that I’d had a good run. “But I wasn’t ready to be done playing by any means, so I’m glad we got this figured out over here.”
For Buchholz, fighting for a rotation spot in Toronto is certainly better than a year ago, when he began the season with the Reno Aces.
“Not being (in the minors) since 2008, it was humbling,” Buchholz said. “But you can’t feel sorry for yourself. I tried to take advantage of it and get better. When I got the call back up, I tried to make the most of it.”