Clay Buchholz electrified the Red Sox last September when he threw a no-hitter in his second career start, but then he suffered through a difficult rookie year. Michael Bowden was solid in his winning five-inning debut this month, and dominated in the minors. Neither prospect, though, will return to the club for the stretch run. With Bowden nearing his innings cap — he's at 149¹⁄³ — the organization has decided to shut down the pitcher, who turns 22 today. The Sox spoke with him Monday, letting him know that, given the year he's had, "It's time to congratulate him, let him go about his winter of continuing to get stronger, develop and things like that," said manager Terry Francona. "Bowden is essentially at his innings limit, and, considering all the factors involved, we thought it best not to push him further for what would have been a very limited role out of the pen this month," wrote general manager Theo Epstein in an e-mail. "He ends a terrific development year on a high note, having gotten a taste of the big leagues and winning his first major league game." The Red Sox also spoke with Buchholz about plans for him. Unlike Bowden, whose only major league experience was positive, Buchholz struggled mightily with the Red Sox this season. In 16 appearances (15 starts), he went 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA. It was worse as the season wore on. Buchholz had been sent down to the minors after going on the disabled list with a torn fingernail, and things didn't improve when he returned. In his last 10 appearances, including one in relief, Buchholz had a 9.21 ERA and an 0-7 record. He walked 27 batters in 42 innings. "Buchholz had a positive development experience in his brief time back at Portland," wrote Epstein of the decision to send Buchholz to Double A Aug. 20 to work with pitching coach Mike Cather. "There will be specific challenges laid out for him this winter, and we want him to get a brief break before he starts that work." http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/...ot-in-Boston-s-post-season-pla?urn=mlb,106460
Bowden could have helped us this month, opposing teams won't be familiar with his stuff yet. As for Buchholz, damn good thing he's not coming back this season. He already cost us about 7 games.
