NEW YORK -- An MRI on Steven Souza Jr.'s right pectoral muscle showed a strain and inflammation, but it appears the D-backs outfielder will avoid another stint on the disabled list, at least for now.
Souza left Friday night's game against the Mets with discomfort in his pec area after making a throw in the fifth inning. The veteran had missed the first five weeks of the regular season after straining the pec while diving for a ball on March 21.
"We had an MRI this morning, obviously there's a little bit of a strain in there," Souza said. "Nothing like it was back in March, but there's something in there and we're just day to day right now."
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said he would not know until just before game time whether Souza would be available to pinch-hit. Lovullo assured the front office that if Souza were not able to pinch-hit, that he was comfortable essentially playing a man down until Monday.
That's when the MRI films will have made their way back to Phoenix and been read by team physician Gary Waslewski, who will give the organization a better idea on a course of action.
"Throwing is the thing that makes it the most uncomfortable," Souza said. "Obviously, when it starts to get completely uncomfortable from throwing, then all areas kind of get affected. The most thing I feel is definitely throwing."
Lovullo said he thought Souza may have irritated the injury during the recent series against the Brewers when he slipped in the outfield and braced himself with his right hand.
Regardless, Souza is beyond frustrated that he is still dealing with the injury.
"I've been injured in the past and I think this is really frustrating for me, because I haven't been able to just get over the hump and just put it behind me," Souza said. "I think any time I've had an injury, I've been able to conquer it and move on and then play the season or whatever part is left. This seems to keep coming back up and not going away, and I feel like the training staff is working really, really hard, the coaching staff is working really hard, and I feel like I'm doing everything that I can to get back to 100 percent and it's just not getting there."
Buchholz ready to go
Clay Buchholz arrived in New York on Saturday from Triple-A Reno and was getting settled in the clubhouse, one day before he is set to start against the Mets.
Buchholz is the latest pitcher to get a chance to replace Robbie Ray in the rotation, joining Kris Medlen and Troy Scribner, both of whom got one start.
"It's a good chance for me to come out and prove that I can still pitch in the big leagues and help this team out," Buchholz said. "It's obviously a really good club they've got here."