Clay Buchholz was traded on Tuesday to the Philadelphia Phillies, and the move signals the end of one of the most frustrating careers for Red Sox fans.
Whether it was firing a no-hitter in just his second major league start, or his blistering 9-0 run to begin the 2013 season, Buchholz showed glimpses of being one of the top pitchers in the league. But those would be countered by maddening stretches of inconsistency and seemingly annual trips to the disabled list.
Here’s a look back at the ups and downs of Buchholz’s tenure with the Red Sox.
■ Selected by the Red Sox with the 42nd pick of the 2005 draft. The supplemental pick was awarded to the Red Sox as compensation for Pedro Martinez signing with the New York Mets after the 2004 season.
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2007
■ While pitching for Double A Portland in May of 2007, he outdueled Roger Clemens, who was starting for the Trenton Thunder in a tuneup for his return to the New York Yankees.
■ Buchholz wins his major league debut, 8-4, over the Angels on August 17, 2007. He allows four runs in six innings, and is then sent back down to Pawtucket.
■ In his second Major League start, Buchholz fires a no-hitter on Sept. 1, 2007 against the Baltimore Orioles.
■ Buchholz experienced arm fatigue and was shut down after making two more starts in 2007, thereby missing out on the Red Sox 2007 World Series run.
2008
■ In 2008, Buchholz made 15 starts. He threw his second career complete game on April 26, but was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 14, 2008. He struggled for the rest of 2008, and was demoted to Portland in August. He finished the season with a 3-12 record and a 6.25 ERA.
2009
■ He started the 2009 season in Pawtucket, and was not called up until after the All-Star break, making his first start on July 17. He went 7-4 down the stretch and made 16 starts with a 4.21 ERA to help the Red Sox reach the playoffs for the third straight season.
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2010
■ Named to the 2010 All-Star Game after starting the season 10-4. However, he was placed on the disabled list with a pulled hamstring and did not pitch in the game. He bounced back by going 5-0 in his next seven starts. He made 28 starts that season, and finished the year with a 17-7 record and a 2.33 ERA.
2011
■ As was often the case, Buchholz saw a promising start cut short by an injury in 2011. He posted a 6-3 record in 14 starts, but was placed on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his lumbar spine on June 16, and did not pitch again.
2012
■ The 2012 season was a typical, infuriating Buchholz season. He started 8-2, but was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a stomach illness on June 24. He would later be diagnosed with esophagitis.
2013
■ Buchholz looked like the best pitcher in baseball to open the 2013 season. On April 14, he took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. He struck out 11 and allowed just two hits in the win.
■ He got the start when the Red Sox returned to Boston on April 20 for their first game at Fenway Park after the Boston Marathon bombing. He went eight innings to get the 4-3 win.
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■ He started the season 9-0 before being sidelined with a neck strain after a start on June 8. He would not pitch again until Sept. 10, making four starts and going 3-1 as the Red Sox went reached the postseason for the first time since 2009. He finished the year 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA.
2014
■ Buchholz led the Red Sox with 28 starts despite missing a month with a hyperextended knee. He finished the season 8-11 with a 5.34 ERA.
2015
■ In 2015 he made his first Opening Day start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He struck out nine over seven innings to get the win.
■ He went 7-7 in 18 starts with a 3.26 ERA before he was placed on the disabled list with an elbow strain on July 11. He did not pitch again that season.
2016
■ The 2016 season saw Buchholz moved back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. He made 37 appearances, including 21 starts, to go 8-10 with a 4.78 ERA.
■ He found himself back in the rotation as the Red Sox made a run for the AL East crown. He pitched seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits in a 5-1 win over the Orioles on Sept. 21 for what would be his last win in a Boston uniform.
Follow Andrew Mahoney on Twitter @GlobeMahoney
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