Worth noting

• Clay Buchholz threw from 90 feet on Wednesday with increased intensity and felt good afterward, according to manager John Farrell. Buchholz estimated that he will return to the active roster in time to make four or five starts during the regular season. And although Farrell wouldn't commit to a time estimate, he did call Buchholz's most recent progress a move in the right direction.

• Farrell texted Andrew Bailey on Wednesday afternoon before the hurler underwent season-ending surgery. Asked if Bailey texted him back, Farrell joked, "Yeah, but it was under that first phase of anesthesia, and it wasn't legible."

• Because of an off-day on Monday, Farrell will probably push everyone in the rotation back one day, giving the whole staff an extra day of rest.

• Center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who had been held out of the starting lineup on Tuesday, stayed on the bench late in the 6-2 win over the Rays while Jonny Gomes was inserted as a defensive replacement for Mike Carp. Farrell said that was simply to ensure Ellsbury had a full day off his feet. Ellsbury was back in the lineup for Wednesday's game.