OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Boston Red Sox's rotation has taken a hit, but their bullpen might get a key reinforcement soon. Manager John Farrell said Saturday that shoulder inflammation will prevent right-handed knuckleballer Steven Wright (13-6, 3.33 ERA) from making his scheduled start Tuesday in San Diego. "Wright still feels symptoms," Farrell said. "I do know that when he tries to get his best knuckleball ... that's where he feels the restriction." The Red Sox are trying to get a second opinion on what is ailing Wright. Clay Buchholz is likely to get the start against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday unless he pitches in relief Saturday night against the Oakland A's. Buchholz (5-10, 5.20 ERA) has evenly split his 32 appearances between starting and relieving in 2016. He struggled much of the season, but in his past 11 outings, including three starts, he's 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 26 innings. "I don't think anyone ever lost sight of the talent that was in there," Farrell said of Buchholz. "He was healthy, and yet he wasn't consistent or as effective as we've seen in the past. "So, that's why you don't want to ever just cut ties when you know that the pitcher's healthy, and yet we needed to make some adjustments and rebuild some confidence." Meanwhile, reliever Koji Uehara, who has been on the disabled list since July 20 with a right-pectoral strain, threw a 26-pitch side session Saturday that left Farrell encouraged. "Today was a good workday for Koji," Farrell said. "He was aggressive. There was good action on his fastball and his split. [He] threw some cutters in there as well." Farrell said that assuming Uehara feels good Sunday, he could be activated during Boston's three-game series in San Diego that begins Monday. Uehara probably would be used in low-leverage spots in his first few outings, but Farrell said, "The way he's advanced in the last 10 days has been extremely encouraging." In 39 appearances this season, Uehara is 2-3 with a 4.50 ERA and six saves.
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