The Red Sox are taking a cautious approach with one of their key pitchers.
Boston placed Walker Buehler on the 15-day injured list last Friday (retroactive to April 29) because of right shoulder bursitis. The move was a setback for the Red Sox, who had just navigated early-season injuries to starters Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello.
Thankfully for both Buehler and the team, the shoulder issue isn’t considered serious. In fact, Buehler said he would have pitched through it if the games carried more weight.
“If this is October, we’re not having this conversation,” he told reporters Sunday ahead of Boston’s 5-4 loss to the Twins at Fenway Park, according to The Boston Globe.
Though Buehler admitted it felt a bit “embarrassing” to be placed on the IL, he agreed it was “the right thing” to do at this stage of the season. The veteran expects to miss no more than three starts before returning to the rotation.
For now, Buehler will remain on the sidelines, including during Tuesday’s series opener at Fenway Park, when the Red Sox begin a three-game set against the Texas Rangers.