BOSTON -- The Red Sox are moving closer to having their starting rotation back at full strength.

Lefty David Price threw his second bullpen session of the week on Friday and is likely to make his return on Monday in Toronto. Manager Alex Cora just wanted to see how Price’s elbow responded to the bullpen session before making Monday’s start official.

Righty Nathan Eovaldi also threw at Fenway on Friday, playing catch between 90 and 120 feet. He could throw what Cora termed a “mini bullpen” on Tuesday.

Price last pitched for the Red Sox on May 2 and has been on the injured list with tendinitis in his left elbow. Eovaldi underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow last month and made his last start for Boston on April 17.

“My arm feels great,” Eovaldi said. “We’re just trying to take it slow with everything and just make sure we build up the right way.”

When Eovaldi had his surgery on April 22, the Red Sox expected he would return within six weeks. That timetable still appears within reach, meaning he could be back by early June.

“We haven’t had any issues,” Eovaldi said. “We’ve been able to continue to take steps forward in the right direction.”

Eovaldi had a full Spring Training and made four starts before going on the IL, giving him reason to think the build-up back to the rotation won’t take long.

“We didn’t really lose much,” said Eovaldi. “We were able to keep my arm and mobilities and things like that, plus weight, exercises. Arm still feels good and strong and coming out to play catch, so just a matter of making sure we’re not doing too much.”

With Price and Eovaldi out, Hector Velázquez has been filling in as a starter. For the fifth spot, the Sox have skipped it when the schedule allowed or used it as a bullpen day.

Pedroia back at it

Dustin Pedroia started another Minor League rehab assignment on Friday night when he reported to Triple-A Pawtucket. The development came just four days after Pedroia was returned from an assignment with Double-A Portland with minor soreness in his left knee. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run in the outing, playing five innings at second base.

The plan is for Pedroia to play three straight days for Pawtucket this weekend in his push to return to the Sox. Pedroia, who has had problems with his left knee since 2017, was activated by the Red Sox on April 9. His return lasted just over a week before he had more discomfort in his knee.

Pedroia is hoping the new knee brace he is using will allow him to hit without discomfort.

Slumping JBJ sits versus righty

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who is in a season-long slump, got a rare off-day against a righty starter (Gerrit Cole) on Friday night.

Eduardo Nunez batted ninth and served as the DH, while Mookie Betts played center and J.D. Martinez started in right.

“[Cole is] tough against lefties,” said Cora. “Very tough. Just [Bradley] working on a few things, too. He’ll play tomorrow and Sunday, just throwing Nuney out there. Try to put the ball in play. I don’t know. Just felt that way today.”

Bradley is slashing .153/.257/.186 with no homers and seven RBIs. Cole entered the night holding lefties to a .202 average and .644 OPS. Righties were at .196 and .599.

Leon on paternity leave

The Red Sox placed catcher Sandy Leon on the paternity list prior to Friday’s game against the Astros and selected catcher Oscar Hernandez from Pawtucket.

Christian Vazquez got the start behind the plate with Rick Porcello on the mound. Typically, Leon catches Porcello and ace Chris Sale. It will be interesting to see if Leon is back by Sale’s next start on Sunday. Sale has been his vintage self in his last three starts and has credited Leon after all three of them.

Players on the paternity list can miss up to three games. To make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated righty Chandler Shepherd for assignment.