Blue Jays' Buchholz strong in return from IL

The Toronto Blue Jays activated veteran right-hander Clay Buchholz from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Buchholz made his season debut as he started against reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell of the Rays. He went six innings, allowing one run on six hits in a no-decision, as the Jays won 3-1.

Toronto optioned infielder Richard Urena to Triple-A Buffalo to open up a roster spot.

Buchholz was on the IL with a flexor strain near his pitching elbow. He gave up five runs (three earned) and four hits in five innings during a rehab stint at Triple-A Buffalo last Sunday.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year, $3 million deal in early March, looking to build on his re-emergence from last season when he went 7-2 with a 2.01 ERA in 16 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was shut down late in the season after suffering the flexor strain.

The two-time All-Star with the Boston Red Sox has an 88-64 record in 224 career appearances (206 starts) in parts of 12 major league seasons. He pitched with Boston from 2007-16, made two starts for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 before going to the minor leagues last season before the Diamondbacks recalled him to the majors.

Urena was batting .333 in 24 at-bats for Toronto. The 23-year-old has a career average of .267 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 69 games over three seasons.

--Field Level Media