Boston Red Sox Option Christian Vazquez, Send Clay Buchholz to Bullpen
By Conner Grant
The Boston Red Sox have optioned catcher Christian Vazquez to AAA to make room for catcher Ryan Hanigan. The team also announced that they are moving struggling starting pitcher Clay Buchholz to the bullpen.
Following a dominant 12-5 win against one of the American League’s best teams in the Texas Rangers, the Red Sox have made a few changes.
The team optioned Christian Vazquez to AAA to make room for Ryan Hanigan, who has been activated off the DL. Hanigan had been on the disabled list since June 4th with a neck injury.
As for the second of the changes, the team announced that Sean O’Sullivan would make his next start Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays, bumping Clay Buchholz out of the rotation and into the bullpen until at least the All-Star break.
O’Sullivan pitched well Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels after being called up in a spot start. He allowed two runs over five innings and got the win.
The Red Sox’s decision to send Vazquez to AAA Pawtucket was in large part to Sandy Leon, who has been red hot of late. Leon has an impressive .500 average over 40 at-bats this season. He went 3-for-4 with three doubles in Monday’s win.
Vazquez has had his struggles at the plate, and certainly isn’t known as a threat in the lineup. His .226 average and 12 RBI’s show that. Vazquez is known mostly for his outstanding defense and play calling. But with Sandy Leon not having any more options remaining, and the struggles at the plate, the Red Sox had little choice but to send Vazquez down. This is Vazquez’s first season back since missing all of last season with Tommy John surgery.
For Buchholz, his performance on Saturday proved not enough to stay in the rotation and make one more start before the All-Star break. The right hander who started the 2013 season 11-0, has not started this season all too well. Buchholz threw 4.1 innings on Saturday allowing 6 runs (3 earned) and allowing two home runs. The Red Sox would go on to lose that game 21-2.
For Buchholz, his season stats aren’t great. The now former starter is 3-9 on the season with a 5.91 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and most strikingly 17 home runs halfway through the season. He is quickly approaching his career high of 25 home runs allowed in a season. This is his second time moving to the bullpen this season.
Even with his struggles, Buchholz is still a pitcher that has been talked about in the trade market as a cheap flyer with an expiring contract.
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For Vazquez, there simply were too many catchers with the club that one had to go to the minors. With his struggling bat and Leon’s hot bat and lack of options, Vazquez was the clear choice to be sent to the AAA. Although the lineup is improved with Leon in it, the Sox will certainly miss Vazquez’s defense while he is in Triple-A Pawtucket.
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