Ross making strides in recovery from concussion

CHICAGO -- By Monday, Red Sox catcher David Ross had made significant progress in his recovery from a concussion. In fact, he could be ready to be activated in a few days.

The Red Sox return to Fenway Park on Thursday for the start of a homestand, and that's the soonest Ross would return.

"He was cleared by the impact testing -- symptoms have resolved. He threw today," said manager John Farrell. "He rode a bike for 30 minutes -- no repeat of symptoms. We'll look to repeat the intensity of the work tomorrow, so he's turning the corner. So baseball activities will start to come into play a little bit more. By the end of this road trip, what we've got to figure out is whether it's better off for him to go get a game or two just to see some game speed. He's moving in the right direction."

Ryan Lavarnway has been holding down the fort as Jarrod Salatalmacchia's backup during the absence of Ross.