Clay Buchholz to Fight for Red Sox Rotation Spot

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz -- seen by some insiders as a candidate for the bullpen due his team's signing of former Angel ace John Lackey -- has vowed to fight for a rotation spot, even if it pits him against veteran Tim Wakefield.

"I don't want to be over confident that I have a spot," the 25-year-old Buchholz told the Boston Herald. "...Knowing that 'Wake' is back to normal and is going to be here for two more years, he's been here a lot longer than I have. I'm sure he's got seniority on that spot, but I'm going to do what I can to be one of the five guys and go from there if it doesn't happen."

At the same time Wakefield, 44, has expressed frustration at the prospect of having once again to prove himself worthy of being a starter now with Lackey, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka holding down the first four spots in the rotation.

Buchholz was called up from Tripe A Pawtucket when Wakefield went down with an injury last year, and went on to notch a 7-4 record with a 4.21 ERA.

General Manager Theo Epstein told the newspaper that he has remained noncommittal about who will win the No. 5 spot, warning that it is too soon to tell who will be healthy when the season begins.

Red Sox Petitioned to Promote Clay Buchholz

Following a recent outing in which Red Sox pitching prospect Clay Buchholz retired the first 24 batters he faced en route to a 3-0 record on the year for Triple-A Pawtucket, MLBNewsOnline.com has launched a petition drive to urge the Boston front office to promote Buchholz to the Red Sox rotation.

Though major league teams have never demonstrated a willingness to respond to petition drives, the influence of fans cannot be entirely disregarded. And as Buchholz is demonstrably superior to Dice K and Brad Penny, and already has a major-league no-hitter to his credit, the petitioners are hopeful that they can have some bearing on the potential for Buchholz's promotion.

The petition can be signed at http://www.gopetition.com/online/28205.html.

Clay Buchholz Tries to Hold Off Bartolo Colon

With veteran Bartolo Colon injured, young Red Sox hurler Clay Buchholz now has a reprieve from what had been a probable demotion to Triple A Pawtucket.

Though nothing is official, Buchholz in all likelihood would have been demoted by now if Colon had not pulled up sore with a rib strain.

Colon, 34, had been anticipated to be named to the major league roster last week until doctors determined he should rest, effectively holding off his probable candidacy to replace Buchholz, 22. Buchholz is believed to have been ticketed to Pawtucket as coaches had been concerned over his inexperience and more than 10 ERA during spring camp and 5.03 ERA in the early going this season.

Though Buchholz pitched a no-hitter last year, he has options remaining and Colon had been throwing in the mid-90s in Pawtucket.

The Red Sox signed the free agent Colon to a $1.2 million, incentive-laden, one-year contract that goes into effect once Colon makes the roster. He was initially signed to replace injured staff ace Curt Schilling, who despite claims to the contrary is likely gone for the remainder of the year, perhaps forever.

Many scoffed at the Colon decision as he was only 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA in limited action with the Angels last year, having dealt with chronic elbow inflammation and rotator cuff problems. Colon started just 10 times in 2006, going 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA.

But Colon had been throwing well, dieting and exercising in Pawtucket, and had brought his weight down somewhat, though he appears to tip the scales at considerably more than the 245 pounds at which he is now listed.

Curt Schilling's Career at End; Buchholz's Begins

Confidential, speculative information emanating from the Red Sox trainer's room fortells of a grim future for former ace Curt Schilling, who at 41 will be lucky to pitch ever again, let alone be effective.

With Schilling's rehabilitation going painfully slow, his anticipated demise opens the door for 23-year-old Clay Buchholz, who despite some rough going in the early spring stands a good chance to hold off John Lester, 24, and veteran Bartolo Colon, 34, for the fifth starter's spot.

Ordinarily, Buchholz would be headed for Triple A Pawtucket, with no chance for a big-league shot until later in the year. But Schilling's two failed shoulder surgeries -- plus his holding off on a recommended third such operation -- potentially finishes his status as a front-line starter, and likely may end his career altogether, secondary sources close to the Red Sox medical staff and trainers told MLBnewsonline.com.

Expect these projections to be affirmed by August 1 or earlier, and no later than the end of September.