BOSTON -- Clay Buchholz apparently jumped the gun on some post-season news.
Almost casually, Buchholz mentioned to reporters Tuesday that he had been tabbed to start Game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Indians.
The Red Sox had publicly announced Friday that Rick Porcello would pitch Game 1, to be followed in Game 2 by David Price.
Beyond that, the Sox weren't revealing any pitching plans, though it was widely known that Buchholz and lefty Eduardo Rodriguez would pitch the next two games, though the order hadn't been revealed.
Buchholz seemed to spoil that surprise. Or not.
"We haven't announced that officially yet,'' said John Farrell. "We've had some discussions internally. We're still waiting to announce that. We feel confidence with all four starters that we have. So that's where we are.''
One reason the Sox might want to use Buchholz in Game 3 -- that would make him available out of the bullpen for a deciding Game 5, if necessary. Rodriguez, meanwhile, doesn't have the experience or success that Buchholz has had in relief.
Boston Red Sox
Taking their time
The Red Sox don't have to file their 25-man roster until 10 a.m. Thursday, and intend to take that time to make up their minds.
Still to be determined: the backup catcher to Sandy Leon; the full bullpen group; and whether the Sox take 11 or 12 pitchers for the first round.
These position players are set: Hanley Ramirez; David Ortiz; Dustin Pedroia; Xander Bogaerts; Aaron Hill; Travis Shaw; Brock Holt; Chris Young; Andrew Benintendi; Mookie Betts; Jackie Bradley Jr; and Sandy Leon.
The backup catcher could well be Christian Vazquez, who has paired well recently with Rodriguez and has the kind of arm to discourage baserunners -- a significant factor given that the Indians led the league in stolen bases.
If the Sox go with 12 pitchers, that's 13 position players. If they add another position player, it could well be Marco Hernandez, who would provide another lefty bat off the bench and serve as a pinch-runner.
Among pitchers, it's the four starters (Porcello, Price, Buchholz, Rodriguez) and six relievers set - Craig Kimbrel, Koji Uehara, Brad Ziegler, Matt Barnes, Robbie Ross Jr. and Drew Pomeranz.
That leaves one or two spots for Joe Kelly, Junichi Tazawa, Heath Hembree and Fernando Abad.
The Sox sent lefty Robby Scott to Fort Myers, to continue to stay active for later rounds. He joins Henry Owens and Deven Marrero who were sent out over the weekend.
On the Wright track
Steven Wright has made good progress in recent days, having thrown several bullpens recently, including one on Monday.
He's set to throw another Wednesday and another on Saturday, after which the Sox would want him in a game situation - likely in Fort Myers.
"There's progress being made,'' said Farrell. "But we've got to get him (facing hitters) first. We'll see where we go from here.''
At this point, Wright, who suffered inflammation of the right shoulder in early August during a pinch-running appearance in an interleague game, feels he's building arm strength again rather than recovering from an injury.
"Every day's getting better,'' Wright said.
Wright is unsure whether he'll have time to build up sufficient arm strength to start again this fall.
Catching their breath
The Sox -- with a few exceptions -- took Monday off to rest from the demands of the last few weeks of the regular season and the break was very much welcomed.
"You get to that 162nd game and naturally, there's a little bit of an exhale,'' said Farrell. "There's been some additional things going on (with ceremonies). So (Monday and Tuesday), I think, were needed by every team that's afforded these two days, particularly our guys. The last few weeks have been a grind for us. A couple of days to recharge -- these are beneficial.''
That's especially true of David Ortiz, who was the focus of three pre-game ceremonies in his final weekend -- and several on the last road trip.
Ortiz acknowledged Sunday that he hadn't felt "right'' in the batter's box and was battling fatigue.
"I think he was looking forward to a couple of days down,'' said Farrell. "What he went through, for him to have so many angles being pulled at, to now have the post-season at hand we're looking forward to, David re-energizing himself will be key for us.
"He was on fumes the last couple of days here.''