Thursday, August 15, 2013

Buchholz 'Feels Good' After 50-Pitch Session

Honestly, we don't know how to treat this piece of information. Is it good news, bad news, in-between news? Who knows? The entire Clay Buchholz "What The Heck Is Wrong With Him?" Watch took yet another turn yesterday, as the right-hander threw a bullpen session that consisted of 50 pitches thrown at "80-85%" effort. Wonderful. In solidarity, we're writing this at 78.7% effort. What's next? Another bullpen session on Saturday. Then a "simulated" game or two because, as Clay says, "I'd rather have some guys stand in. It's been a while. Instead of just going out and throwing in a minor league. It would be better for me to see a hitter and throw more pitches before we jump to [a game]." OK. Then what? The next step would be a minor league rehab start or two before Buchholz can reclaim a major league mound for the first time since June. The bottom line? As Weekend Update's Chevy Chase might say, "Generalissimo Clay Buchholz is still not pitching."