Tuesday, December 20, 2016
PHILLIES ACQUIRE CLAY BUCHHOLZ
The Phillies have acquired right-hander Clay Buchholz from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league second baseman Josh Tobias, Vice President & General Manager Matt Klentak announced today.
Buchholz, 32, went 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA in a career-high 37 games (21 starts) for the Red Sox last season. In his final 16 appearances of the season (eight starts), he posted a 5-1 record with a 2.80 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .212 batting average.
"We are excited to welcome Clay Buchholz to Philadelphia," said Klentak. "Clay had a very productive tenure with the Red Sox, and we look forward to seeing what he can do in a Phillies uniform. He is a welcome addition to our young starting rotation."
A two-time American League All-Star (2010 & 2013), Buchholz pitched a 9.0-inning no-hitter in his second major league start on September 1, 2007 against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming just the third pitcher since 1900 to accomplish the feat in two or fewer starts.
Buchholz has made six postseason starts in his career, all with Boston, and has gone 0-1 with a 4.25 ERA, including allowing one unearned run over 4.0 innings in Game 4 of the 2013 World Series in St. Louis. The Red Sox would go on to defeat the Cardinals in six games.
A supplemental first-round selection (42nd overall) by the Red Sox in 2005 out of Angelina College, Buchholz had spent his entire professional career with the organization. He compiled an 81-61 record with a 3.96 ERA in 206 games (188 starts).
Tobias was selected in the 10th round of the 2015 draft by the Phillies. He split last season between single-A Clearwater and single-A Lakewood and hit a combined .291 with 31 doubles, nine home runs, 69 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 127 games. The 24-year-old switch-hitter was named to the South Atlantic League's midseason and postseason All-Star teams.
To make room for Buchholz on the 40-man roster, the Phillies have designated third baseman Richie Shaffer for assignment.
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