Hanigan on track to return Wednesday
Victorino will shift rehab assignment to Double-A next week
ST. PETERSBURG -- The wait for catcher Ryan Hanigan to be stationed behind home plate is nearing its end.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players
Red Sox manager John Farrell said Friday that the backstop is still on track to return from the fractured right hand that has sidelined him since May 2 when he is eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday.
Upon his return, however, Hanigan, who batted .222 with one homer and five RBIs while also posting a perfect fielding percentage in 19 games to start the season, will not immediately resume the duties of everyday catcher.
"We're not going to run him out there five consecutive days," Farrell said. "There will be a continued build up with the consecutive games played."
Alongside Hanigan at Triple-A Pawtucket is outfielder Shane Victorino, who is rehabbing from a left calf strain that placed him on the disabled list on May 24. Victorino played six innings for Pawtucket on Thursday, going 2-for-3 with a double and a run.
"[Victorino] moved well," Farrell said. "He made three plays in the outfield. He got a couple of base hits and got down the line with no restrictions, so a positive day for Vic."
Farrell said that Victorino will stay with Pawtucket through the weekend, then report to Double-A Portland next week in an effort to keep him in the New England area.
This stint on the disabled list is Victorino's second of the year, but in the 20 games he has suited up for Boston, he has hit .255 with a .379 on-base percentage.
Worth noting
Left fielder Hanley Ramirez (bruised left hand) was out of the lineup for a second consecutive day after being hit with a batted ball hit by teammate Xander Bogaerts on the basepaths Sunday.
"He improved today, but he is still not at the point of putting a bat in his hands to begin swinging and he's still day to day," Farrell said.
Farrell also said that Ramirez will need a "normal build up," which would include a batting practice session, before returning to the lineup.