Worth noting

• Outfielder Shane Victorino was sidelined for the third straight game due to back spasms, and he's missed five games this week due to the ailment. Farrell said Victorino showed slight improvement from the day before and is questionable for Sunday. If Victorino isn't ready to play by the start of the road trip on Tuesday, the club could be forced to put him on the disabled list.

• Closer Joel Hanrahan (right hamstring injury) felt a slight twinge on one pitch during his first Minor League rehab outing on Friday, but otherwise he felt fine. He is on track to pitch for Triple-A Pawtucket again on Sunday. If there are no setbacks, he will rejoin the Red Sox for the road trip that starts Tuesday night in Toronto. To this point, Farrell has not said if Hanrahan will be reinstated as closer or if Andrew Bailey will continue to pitch the ninth inning.

• Following the Red Sox's 8-4 win over the Astros on Saturday night, catcher Ryan Lavarnway was informed that he was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for John Lackey, who is slated to come off the disabled list and start Sunday's series finale. Lavarnway was on the roster for three days, but he didn't play.