Red Sox prospect Clay Buchholz impressed in his stint in the Arizona Fall League, and should be fighting for a spot in the Red Sox rotation come spring training, according to Red Sox director of player development Mike Hazen.

“I think Buchholz comes in and competes for the major-league roster,” Hazen said. “He had a good experience out in Arizona, made a lot of adjustments.”

Buchholz struggled badly in the major leagues this year, racking up a 6.75 ERA in two stints with Boston this year. He was demoted to Double-A Portland in August, and then sent to the Arizona Fall League, where general manager Theo Epstein made a special trip several weeks ago to see him pitch.

Hazen said that for Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter during his 2007 rookie season, dealing with setbacks was part of his maturation process, and it has helped him as a player. 

“He’s dealt with failure for the first time, and figuring out ways to respond to that,” Hazen said.

“But this guy has major-league weapons and has a chance,” Hazen said.