Report: Buchholz out until second half

Clay Buchholz will be out until after the All-Star break with a lower back strain, Boston.com is reporting.

Buchholz, who threw five innings of one-run ball at Tampa Bay on June 16, was placed on the 15-day DL June 17. He’s 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA on the year.

Eight pitchers have started games for Boston this year. That’s as many as all of last season.