Buchholz tired of “wasting bullets”

With an off night tonight for the big club, Clay Buchholz and the Pawtucket Red Sox will get top billing on NESN this evening. For those of us who have been itching to see Buchholz pitch this season having heard of his dominance in AAA, this may be the only opportunity that we get. While Buchholz might be in control in Pawtucket, his future is frustratingly out of his control.

That frustration of "wasting bullets" in Pawtucket may be eating at the talented young right hander more than we've been lead to believe in the public eye.

It's no secret that (a) Clay Buchholz is dominating in the minors right now and like Daniel Bard before him, has nothing to prove in Pawtucket that he hasn't already and (b) with John Smoltz impending return, there is no room for that talent in Boston right now.

In a recent interview with NECN's Mike Giardi, Clay candidly admits to just how frustrating this has become for him.

Calling for Clay

Upon hearing of the feats of Clay Buchholz last night in Louisville for the Pawtucket Red Sox, I tweeted my gut reaction as follows: "Clay Buchholz just made his statement. It is time for the Red Sox to proverbially "sh!t or get off the pot".

For Red Sox fans under a rock, Clay Buchholz followed up his dominant Spring Training by cruising through AAA hitters, culminating in last night's near perfect game. Buchholz retired the first 24 hitters before a leadoff single in the 9th inning derailed his effort. To date, Buchholz is 3-0 in the minors this season with a 1.30 ERA and 49 strike outs vs. only 12 walks in 48.1 innings pitched.

Are the Sox starters as bad as they seem?

At what point can the Red Sox wait to address their AL-worst starting corps (or should I say corpse?), second-last in the bigs with a 5.81 ERA? Even the Yankees are faring better with a 5.64 ERA.

It's a testament to how good the offense and bullpen is that the Sox are hanging around first place. Once the starters start regressing to the norm, the club will be that much more stronger.

Poll: Name those starters

Bowden recalled to majors

The Red Sox optioned shortstop Gil Velazquez to Pawtucket, in anticipation of Julio Lugo joining the club tomorrow. In lieu of Velazquez, the Sox brought up Michael Bowden to pitch out of the bullpen. The Sox bullpen is rather beleaguered -- certainly not to the extent of the Yankees, but this was a move sorely needed. If Masterson doesn't go long or it's a blowout by the time Masterson is done, Bowden will get the call.

For those wondering why Clay Buchholz was not recalled, he's injured. Not terribly, but still injured.

Lugo plays field, Ks twice for PawSox, will return April 27

Julio Lugo began a rehab assignment Wednesday for the Pawtucket Red Sox and came away feeling better, physically, than his performance would indicate.

Lugo, who batted leadoff and played shortstop, was 0-for-3 in three official at-bats and drew a walk in an International League game won by Pawtucket, 8-7, over Rochester in 11 innings.

The Red Sox know how to manage “injuries.”

If Lowell goes down, Youk can shift to third and David Ortiz and Chris Carter can share the 1B/DH spots. Or even Rocco could DH at times. If Daisuke suffers from "arm fatigue." Which could also be labeled as "we are being careful with him because of the the WBC." Then Justin Masterson can shift from the pen to the rotation.

But Theo has built a team that can handle suspensions, injuries, performance issues, more than just about any team in the game of baseball. And the organization as a whole has built a farm system that has the players to either be quality Major Leaguers, fill temporary holes, or be traded to address any of these "holes."

PawSox lose battle Friday, may have won war

Maybe the Pawtucket Red Sox lost the battle Friday night in their home opener against the Leigh Valley Iron Pigs.

But because knuckleballer Charlie Zink and reliever Billy Traber gave them nine innings, the PawSox may win the war - the war being the remainder of a six-game homestand.

What’s the impact of Justin Masterson in the rotation?

All indications point to Justin Masterson taking Dice-K's place in the rotation after Dice was placed on the 15-day DL with arm fatigue.

As Masterson prepares to face the Orioles on Patriots Day, the trickle-down effect is significant, especially with the specter of the Josh Beckett suspension hanging over the team.

Masterson was a versatile option out of the bullpen that changes the makeup of the pen significantly. Masterson and Okajima were the two options out of the gate in the seventh and eighth to close out a game with the lead. Now, Saito likely takes Masterson's role, with Manny Delcarmen elevated in a role where the Sox pitch from behind.

Don’t Panic: The Red Sox will improve.

Sample size, sample size, sample size! Remember the thing that increases the accuracy of whatever the available data happens to…