It looks like the Red Sox rotation can expect to get another boost in the near future.
Clay Buchholz made his third and presumably final rehab start Thursday night, pitching for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in a playoff game at the Rochester Red Wings, and he appears to be in line to make his next start for Boston.
After pitching three scoreless frames to begin the game, Buchholz gave up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, exiting with two outs and a 5-2 lead. He threw 71 pitches (52 strikes) in all over 3 2/3 innings, striking out five, walking two and allowing four hits and the two runs.
The PawSox went on to win 7-2, evening their best-of-five playoff series at one game apiece. The action shifts from Frontier Field to McCoy Stadium for Game 3, but Buchholz's contributions to the PawSox's playoff cause have likely come to an end.
The Red Sox have not yet made his return to Boston official, but after Thursday's outing he indicated to reporters in Rochester that he feels ready to rejoin his big league teammates for their playoff push. They are expected to activate Buchholz in time to start Tuesday’s game in Tampa against the Rays.