Buchholz to start throwing program soon

MIAMI -- Clay Buchholz got the progress report he was looking for from Dr. James Andrews, and the Red Sox right-hander will resume throwing in the near future.

"Pretty soon," said Buchholz, who visited with Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., on Wednesday. "That's all I got out of it really."

Nonetheless, it was the simple assurance Buchholz was looking for, keeping alive the hope he can make some starts for the Red Sox before the end of the season.

Buchholz hasn't pitched since July 10, when he exited a start at Fenway Park with a strained right flexor. The Red Sox have gone 9-19 since Buchholz got hurt to fall out of contention.

The Red Sox hold a $13 million option on Buchholz for 2016, and a $13.5 million option for '17, so they'd love to take stock in the righty before the season ends.

"Time to start building back up," said Buchholz. "Look at the calendar, there's not a whole lot of days left. I'd like it to be sooner rather than later. That's part of a pitcher's body, that if you do something too quick, something else is going to take effect from it."

The regular season ends on Oct. 4. Buchholz is convinced that will give him time to at least make some starts.

"Yeah, like I said, that's my goal," Buchholz said. "That's what we're shooting for. Keep doing the treatment that I need to do and go from there."