Rodriguez (knee) could make his next start for Boston and skip a tentatively scheduled rehab start Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket, the Providence Journal reports.
There's been talk of Rodriguez starting Sunday, but a final decision has not yet been made. "As we go through these next couple days, we'll have a better read on where he slots in - in Pawtucket or here," manager John Farrell said. Rodriguez's last start Tuesday, the first since having his rehab clock halted due to linger pain in his knee, was an encouraging outing that suggested the young lefty is ready for activation. "His command was good. His assortment of off-speed pitches was executed well," Farrell said of Rodriguez. "There isn't one thing that's glaring that says you've got to accomplish this to further cement that you're ready to return to us." After watching Clay Buchholz surrender three two-run homers Thursday, perhaps Farrell's decision has already been made.