Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein watched Clay Buchholz pitch on Saturday at Hadlock Field. It was a night when Buchholz threw a no-hitter for five innings, even though he didn't have his usually-dominant curveball.

Epstein is also reponsible for yanking Buchholz after five innings, giving Buchholz a break and a chance to prepare for the All Stars Futures Game next Sunday.

Here is what Epstein had to say:

"He's going to throw an inning of relief in the Futures Game so what we're going to do is give him an inning of relief four days from now, on the Fourth.

"Instead of just interrupting his starting routine, we're going to turn this into a developmental experience for him. We're going to let him see what it's like to pitch out of the pen.

"We look at him as a starting pitcher but you never know. A lot of great starting pitchers at some point in their career pitch in the pen. This will give him a feel for what it's like. It will also give him a little breather in the middle of the year.

"That's why he came out early (Saturday night). It's unfortunate that he had the no-no working, but he handled it well."

(Asked about Buchholz's progression). "Our challenge for him this year has been his fastball command and the use of his fastball. That's really improving. I think you saw tonight that he got a lot of early-count outs with his fastball. He pitched to contact with the heater early in the count and got some soft contact and easy outs.

"His fastball command is coming along and his secondary stuff speaks for itself. Tonight he didn't have a good curveball so he relied more on his slider and change-up.

"The fastball command will get him to the next level and allow him to dominate against the best hitters in the game."

(Do you see him in Pawtucket this year?) "That remains to be seen."

Red Sox folks don't comment on future plans of prospects, expecially in terms of promotions. But Buchholz is at the doorstep of Pawtucket. He may not make another start for the Sea Dogs.

One move made Saturday gives a hint to the Red Sox plans. Reliever and spot starter Chris Smith was promoted from Portland to Pawtucket. Filling his spot is T.J. Nall, a 26-year right-handed starting pitcher who was recently released by the Nationals organization.

With Nall, Portland now has six starters (Zink, Hottovy, Haigwood, Bowden, Nall and Buchholz). Buchholz will not make another start before the all-star break. But after the break, Portland will need to get rid of one starter.

Of course, a Buchholz promotion would mean a move in Pawtucket, although the Pawsox currently have only four starters while Kason Gabbard is in Boston. So some of this depends on when Curt Schilling comes back, and when Boston makes some other move (trade, DL, etc).

It sounds complicated. But is is becoming clear that Buchholz, with his 1.69 ERA, has outgrown Double-A.

Of course, there is a story about Buchholz's Saturday outing in the Maine Sunday Telegram. There is also a column on the recent Red Sox shortstop history, from Nomar to Julio, and looking ahead to Jed.

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