DENVER -- The Red Sox will get a much-needed reinforcement back from the injured list on Sunday, when David Price pitches the finale of this eight-game road trip in Anaheim.
Price hasn't pitched for Boston since Aug. 4 due to a cyst on his left wrist.
With the Red Sox trying to make a big push to overtake the Athletics and Rays for the second AL Wild Card spot, Price's return could help the cause.
"It's important," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "This is a guy, we know when he gets on a roll when he's healthy, he's one of the best lefties in the big leagues. Obviously we didn't like that he missed time, but you never know, it might actually help him out to finish strong and take us where we want to go. He looks good, he's in good spirits and he's healthy, so we'll see how he goes."
With Chris Sale (left elbow inflammation) done for the season, Price joins a rotation that also includes Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello and Nathan Eovaldi.
Eovaldi will open the weekend series in Anaheim on Friday. On Saturday, Cora will go with a bullpen game. Brian Johnson, who has made abbreviated starts with Sale and Price on the IL, will not be in play to start the game, Cora said.
A big reason is that Johnson continues to struggle mightily in the first inning. Marcus Walden and Josh Taylor both seem like logical candidates to serve as the opener on Saturday.
September callups
The Sept. 1 roster-expansion date comes at an odd time for the Red Sox, the finale of a West Coast road trip.
Cora said there will be a first wave of callups on Sunday, followed by others when the homestand starts on Tuesday.
"We have a pretty good idea," Cora said. "We're getting there. I met with [president of baseball operations] Dave [Dombrowski] today, and we went over a few things and how we're going to do it in September. We need reinforcements, guys that can give us multiple innings or get specific guys out. It will be cool. Just to be creative and try to put everybody in a position to be successful and help us win games. That's a challenge, but that's a cool challenge."
All eyes will be on whether right-handed-hitting slugger Bobby Dalbec -- Boston's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- will get his first callup to the Majors.
On that subject, Cora would only offer that the Red Sox do plan on calling up a right-handed hitter.
"There's some options," Cora said. "We've got options."
The return of Michael Chavis (sprained AC joint in left shoulder) from the injured list, which should happen when the homestand starts, should also help bolster Cora's right-handed-hitting options.
Benny likely to start Friday
As expected, left fielder Andrew Benintendi missed a third straight game following an injury to his left side. However, he was poised to come off the bench if needed on Wednesday night at Coors Field.
"Yeah, he actually hit off the machine today, so he's available, but he's not going to start," Cora said. "Obviously we'll try to stay away from him, but if we have to use him, we use him. But he should be ready for Friday."
Sale in Fort Myers
With the Red Sox on a prolonged road trip, the club allowed Sale to return to his family home in Fort Myers, Fla., to get treatment for his injury.
"Obviously we're not at home, and it's a good time to spend it with the kids and the family," Cora said.
Sale hasn't done any kind of throwing since his visit with Dr. James Andrews on Aug. 19.