Red Sox scratch Nathan Eovaldi (right calf cramps) from Wednesday start

Nathan Eovaldi has been scratched from his Wednesday start against the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox right-hander is battling cramps in his right calf. Eovaldi experienced them for the first time two days after his Thursday start against the Orioles and has yet to throw his normal bullpen session.

Eovaldi was excellent in a 7-1 victory over Baltimore at Camden Yards, allowing just a solo home run over seven strong innings. He was the first Boston starter to throw a pitch in the [...]

Nathan Eovaldi has been scratched from his Wednesday start against the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox right-hander is battling cramps in his right calf. Eovaldi experienced them for the first time two days after his Thursday start against the Orioles and has yet to throw his normal bullpen session.

Eovaldi was excellent in a 7-1 victory over Baltimore at Camden Yards, allowing just a solo home run over seven strong innings. He was the first Boston starter to throw a pitch in the seventh this season. Martin Perez became the second on Saturday night, turning in seven one-run frames of his own.

"I don’t think it’s going to keep me out that long," Eovaldi said. "We’re just trying to play it safe and not let this thing get worse."

Eovaldi was playing long toss on Saturday and moved into the bullpen for some dry work with his windup. He felt his calf grab once while playing catch and informed pitching coach Dave Bush when he felt it for a second time. The change in Eovaldi’s personal schedule forced the decision and Colten Brewer will start in his place.

"We didn’t think it was any big deal, but the next day he still felt it some," Roenicke said. "So we decided to try to push him back."

Eovaldi was limited to just 23 appearances and 12 starts last season, the first of his four-year, $68-million extension. The 30-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow and struggled to a 5.99 earned-run average. Eovaldi served as the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox in July with Chris Sale (left elbow) and Eduardo Rodriguez (heart) both unavailable.

"I’m able to play catch and keep the arm strength and everything there," Eovaldi said. "It’s just when I try to get into it that I feel it a little bit. We’ve been doing the treatment. We’ve been doing everything."

Roenicke is hopeful Eovaldi can make his next start Saturday against the Nationals at Fenway Park. Brewer has started in two of his last three appearances, topping 70 pitches each time. The right-hander turned in four scoreless frames in Friday’s 8-5 victory over the Orioles.

"If I’m not going to go long that day they do let me know before the game starts," Brewer said. "They tell me to be ready for one inning and then next time we’ll see if you’re going to go more than one inning."

bkoch@providencejournal.com

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