MINNEAPOLIS -- Red Sox lefty Thomas Pomeranz is over the neck woes that stalled his throwing program and he's getting closer to throwing his first side session since he went on the disabled list at the beginning of the month with biceps tendinitis.
"Yeah, that will be good," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "I think, honestly, the shoulder is not the issue. It was just the neck the last few days. He's feeling better, so it would be good if we can get that one out of the way."
The question is this: When Pomeranz returns to the Red Sox, will he regain his spot in the rotation or move to the bullpen?
Knuckleballer Steven Wright is 1-1 with a 0.44 ERA in three starts since replacing Pomeranz.
After Pomeranz bounced back from the forearm injury that forced him to start the season late, he went 1-3 with a 6.81 ERA in eight starts before being forced back to the DL.
"We have to see where he's at first," said Cora. "Then we'll make decisions. I don't want to get ahead of myself. I know Steven is throwing the ball well. Drew was struggling early and then he found it for a little bit. As of now, the most important thing is for him to be healthy.
"He's done it in the bullpen, he's done it as a starter. He was great last year. I honestly like what we had in the bullpen with Steven. I think he was becoming a weapon. But at the same time, he's doing an outstanding job as a starter. We cannot hide that. We'll see. The first thing is for Drew to be healthy, and we'll go from there."
Cora reported that second baseman Dustin Pedroia, recovering from left knee inflammation, was also feeling a bit better on Wednesday and was able to partake in some baseball activities.
His timetable to return is still uncertain.
"Hopefully sooner than later," said Cora. "He's moving around, he was here today. He went out there, which is, I guess, a step. With him, it's kind of like, the way he feels, you see him in the clubhouse, and the way he's acting, if it's a good day or if it's a bad day. Obviously, he's doing his thing in the training room, but I talked to him today a little bit ... he said he was feeling better, so we'll see."