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Phillies Pitcher Clay Buchholz Continues to Struggle in Spring Training

By John Town

Mar 15, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (21) throws a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (21) throws a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phillies pitcher Clay Buchholz continues to struggle this spring in Grapefruit League action with just a week left until Opening Day.

The Phillies brought in Clay Buchholz during the offseason to provide another solid veteran arm in the rotation and potentially be a trade chip when the deadline rolls around in July. If his performance this spring is any indication, Buchholz won’t be either of those things.

After his start Sunday where he gave up three runs in 3.1 innings, Buchholz’s ERA rose to 5.94 for this spring. In 16.2 spring innings, Buchholz has struck out 13 batters but also walked nine. His spring WHIP of 1.68 is the highest it’s been since 2008.

However, Buchholz will be the first to tell you that the on-field results aren’t what is important. He told Matt Gelb of Philly.com:

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"“In the first inning, my velocity was up a couple of ticks,” Buchholz said. “That’s good to see, getting closer to the season, knowing my strengthening is building up. That’s what spring training is all about and that’s what I’ve tried to use it for this year.”"

Manager Pete Mackanin did point out that the results on the field weren’t great.

However, he is adamant that Buchholz will be fine come the regular season: [quote via Gelb]

"“Let’s put it this way: You can’t honestly say he had a good spring,” Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said after a 6-3 win over the Pirates. “But he was up close to 90 pitches today. Pitch-count wise, he’s doing fine. He hadn’t pitched in nine days, so I can understand his lack of command. Once he’s into a rhythm I think he’ll be fine.”"

Buchholz also thinks that he should be fine when Opening Day rolls around. He said to Ryan Lawrence of Philly Voice:

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"“I think the command of the off-speed stuff will come. That’s usually what comes last. They seemed to spit on a lot of off-speed pitches that were pretty close. That just tells me I have to throw fastballs for strikes to get ahead in the count and then use my off-speed to bury them, gets some swings and misses and punchouts from there.”"

Buchholz missed an extended amount of time due to the birth of his third child. His start Sunday was the first in 11 days but Lawrence said that Buchholz did throw two side sessions during his break between starts.

Next: Phils Making Opening Day Roster Decisions Sunday

The Phils better hope that Buchholz and Mackanin are right and that Buchholz can turn around his performance come Opening Day. If he can’t, the team may be stuck with a veteran in their rotation they don’t want when younger pitchers are pushing for a promotion.

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