Farrell not ready to say when Buchholz will join rotation

NEW YORK -- Presumably, Clay Buchholz will return to the Red Sox's starting rotation on Tuesday night when they open a three-game series at Tropicana Field against the Rays.

However, manager John Farrell will wait just a bit before making a definitive announcement.

After pitching his final Minor League rehab game for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday, Buchholz went home to spend time with his wife and newborn baby.

He will return to the Red Sox on Saturday, at which point the team will start outlining definitive plans for his return to action.

Ryan Dempster, who could be the odd man out when Buchholz returns, hadn't heard anything yet and was still going under the assumption he would pitch Tuesday.

"No change in the rotation as of yet," said Farrell. "Clay is back in Boston. He'll travel here tomorrow and throw his bullpen [session] with us here on Sunday. And at that point, we're just making sure that we go through every step physically before we make any adjustments to the rotation going forward."

In the Triple-A playoff game against Rochester, Buchholz gave up four hits and two runs over 3 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out five.

"Power was consistent to not only his previous outing but when he was active with us earlier in the year," Farrell said. "Spoke to him live this afternoon. He feels good coming out of the outing physically. Felt like with each inning that he's pitched, the increase in command and action to his secondary pitch is gaining that consistency. He's in a pretty good place from a mental standpoint in addition to physically being sound."