MRI on Clay Buchholz's elbow reveals no ligament damage, still placed on DL

Clay Buchholz has dodged a major injury bullet.

An MRI on the Boston Red Sox right-hander's throwing elbow has revealed no structural damage.

Buchholz - who exited Friday's series opener with the New York Yankees after experiencing discomfort - is still headed to the disabled list, however, and will be shut down for a week. The team is officially deeming the injury a flexor muscle strain and there is no timetable for his return.

The durability of the veteran hurler has been a major concern throughout his career. He has never pitched 200 innings or made 30 starts in a season, and seems to succumb to injury only when he's on a roll.

"I've pitched through being hurt throughout my career, but we're talking about your livelihood with your shoulder and elbow for a pitcher," Buchholz said. "That's definitely the most that elbow has ever bothered me in a game situation, so I figured that was enough ... It's frustrating. I was on a pretty good run. It always stinks whenever something comes up."

Buchholz went a perfect 4-0 in June with a 2.21 ERA in six starts, and posted a complete-game shutout in his first July outing. He took his first loss since May 26 on Friday night after leaving the 5-1 defeat in the fourth inning.

Left-hander Brian Johnson, a 2012 first-round draft pick, has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill the void. Johnson has a 2.73 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings.