Pedroia could join Sox Friday; Price takes step

TORONTO -- It was another productive day on the injury rehab front for the Red Sox.
Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) ran the bases aggressively and could be in line to be activated on Friday at Yankee Stadium, when rosters expand.
Left-hander David Price (left elbow inflammation) threw 20 pitches off the mound, marking the first time he's been on the slope since the last start he made for the Red Sox on July 21.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said Pedroia will have a lighter day on Thursday, but called it a "real possibility" he'll be activated shortly thereafter.
"Dustin had a really good work day today," said Farrell. "He ran the bases aggressively from home to first and did first to thirds five times each at full speed. So today was a really productive day for him, both in terms of how he felt physically, and more importantly, how he felt mentally with the confidence added with increasing the foot speed, intensity, all that."
Given how well Eduardo Núñez has filled in at second base and at the top of the lineup, the Red Sox have the luxury of easing Pedroia back into the mix.
As for Price, this was the first step of a gradual progression he will have to make if he's to be cleared to pitch in games again this season. The lefty threw all fastballs.
"I think today was as much about incorporating the angle of the mound," said Farrell. "We're not talking about game speed by any means, but it's a step."
Farrell is keeping it open-ended whether Price has enough time to stretch back out as a starter this season. Pitching in relief is another possibility, because it wouldn't require as much of a ramp-up.
"I think what we need to do first, for David's sake, is let's get him close to game speed first," said Farrell. "We don't know how long that's going to take yet. We can't put David in a position where we're cutting corners or taking shortcuts. We have to do what's right by him first physically and health-wise, and then we'll see where we are in the calendar. We recognize that days are ticking away here. What that means for the eventual role, it's too early to determine."
Worth noting
• All signs continue to point to center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. getting activated on Saturday, the first day he is eligible. Bradley sprained his left thumb running the bases in Cleveland last week.
• Side-winder Carson Smith will stay on his Minor League rehab assignment through Sept. 4, and likely re-join the Red Sox after that in his return from Tommy John surgery. Smith could give Farrell another important weapon in the mid to late innings.