Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz has hit the 15-day disabled list with a gastro-intestinal illness, and the DL trip for the right-hander is retroactive to the 20th of June.

June 12, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) throws during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

He was initially scratched from Sunday’s start, and it was thought that Buchholz would be able to come back soon. The problem is that he is in the hospital right now and is quite ill at this point. What also hurts is that Clay Buchholz was hitting his stride and looking like the solid pitcher we know he can be with a run of four straight, great starts.

The veteran Aaron Cook, who was a much talked about player earlier this season, will replace Buchholz in the rotation. The Red Sox are hoping that their 27-year-old starter can be back after the 15 days are up on the 5th of July, and that’s the likely return point. But intestinal illnesses are tricky and terrible, so let’s hope this is just an isolated thing and doesn’t cost him too long.

This year, he has a 4.66 xFIP in 86.1 innings, but last year’s 3.8 WAR breakout starter is finally starting to turn things around in a down year. He should end up being worth something around 3 WAR this season and continue to improve on his play once he comes back, as long as this illness doesn’t hold him back. It will hurthis momentum, but this isn’t a long-term issue so Buchholz should be fine.

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