Red Sox activate Buchholz from DL; option Gomez to Triple-A

BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox today activated right-handed pitcher Clay Buchholz from the 15-day disabled list and optioned first baseman Mauro Gomez to Triple-A Pawtucket.  Buchholz is scheduled to start tonight’s game against the Rays at Tropicana Field.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. 

Buchholz, 27, was placed on the disabled list on June 24 (retroactive to June 20) due to stomach illness.  The right-hander made one rehab start, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings for Triple-A Pawtucket against Washington’s Syracuse affiliate on July 8, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out three batters.  He ranks third in the American League with an .800 winning percentage (8-2) over 14 starts with the Red Sox this year and has posted a 5.53 ERA (53 ER/86.1 IP) with 58 strikeouts.  In his last eight starts he is 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA (20 ER/53.2 IP), allowing three earned runs or less in six of those outings.  Selected by the Red Sox in the supplemental round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Buchholz owns a career 43-26 record with a 3.95 ERA (234 ER/533.1 IP) and 400 strikeouts in 92 Major League games (90 starts) with Boston since 2007.  

The 27-year-old Gomez had been recalled for his second stint with Boston this season on July 3.  In eight games for the Red Sox overall this season he has hit .308 (8-for-26) with three doubles, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk.  Named the starting designated hitter on this year’s International League All-Star team, he is batting .311 (87-for-280) with 26 doubles, one triple, 19 homers, 55 RBI, 48 runs and 22 walks in 72 games for the PawSox.  Signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on February 2, Gomez is a career .277 hitter (893-for-3,220) with 218 doubles, 12 triples, 127 homers, 523 RBI, 455 runs scored and 222 walks in nine minor league seasons in the Rangers (2004-09), Braves (2010-11) and Red Sox (2012) systems.