SAN DIEGO -- All-Star knuckleballer Steven Wright got a second opinion on his ailing right shoulder from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who confirmed the findings of the Red Sox that there is no structural damage and that the main issue is bursitis.
"It's definitely more peace of mind more than anything because having two doctors explain to you the same exact thing from looking at the same MRI, it's definitely encouraging," said Wright. "So now it's just a matter of tolerating the pain and taking it day by day and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. I'm just looking forward to that."
Wright's symptoms will determine whether or not he pitches again in 2016.
"He's able to pick up a ball when the symptoms he might be feeling have subsided," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "So I can understand and respect the next question of will he return this year. I don't have that answer yet."
The injury was a fluky one Wright suffered as a pinch runner at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 7, when he dove back into second base.
"People heal different," Wright said. "It's one of those things where bursitis is definitely in there and he didn't really know. As long as though there is no structural damage and just inflammation, sometimes it takes a little more time than others."
Wright was activated on Aug. 26 but wasn't effective in two starts, going 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA, at which point the Red Sox shut him down again.
"We've just got to let it quiet down," said Farrell.
Clay Buchholz is filling in for Wright in Boston's rotation.
Wright was in the midst of a breakout season, going 13-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 24 starts.
WORTH NOTING
• Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi got a brace for his recovering left knee and continues to increase his activity.
"This will give him an opportunity to get into the outfield and begin to shag off the bat as well," said Farrell. "So full BP early this afternoon [Tuesday] went as we expected. More than anything the addition of the brace it just allows the intensity of the work to gradually climb. So we fully expect that intensity increase to take place throughout the weekend series in Toronto."
• Left-hander Henry Owens, who spent most of the season at Triple-A Pawtucket, is expected to join the Red Sox this weekend in Toronto mainly as an insurance policy in case anyone in the rotation is injured. In 24 starts at Triple-A this season, Owens was 10-7 with 3.53 ERA.