Price to return for opener vs. Jays in Toronto

BOSTON -- David Price is slated to return to the mound on Monday afternoon, when the Red Sox face the Blue Jays in Toronto, manager Alex Cora announced on Saturday.

The lefty has not pitched since May 2 because of tendinitis in his left elbow. He threw six innings against the White Sox in that game, giving up seven hits, three earned runs (including a home run), walking two and striking out five. He was placed on the injured list on May 6, retroactive to May 3.

Price has had success at Rogers Centre, where he is 12-1 with a 3.31 ERA in 17 career starts. Last season he went 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA overall vs. Toronto. He has not faced the Blue Jays in 2019.

Price is not the only starter working his way back, as Nathan Eovaldi is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.

“My arm feels great,” Eovaldi said on Friday. “We’re just trying to take it slow with everything and just make sure we build up the right way.”

Eovaldi underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to remove loose bodies on April 23, and has been on the injured list since April 18.

In other injury news, Brock Holt (scratched right cornea) and Dustin Pedroia (left knee irritation) will play in back-to-back games for the Triple-A PawSox on Saturday and Sunday. The Red Sox want Holt to get time at second base; Pedroia will serve as DH for both games. Holt is expected to play shortstop and Pedroia second base in subsequent games.

Tzu-Wei Lin (sprained left knee) has made progress in the weight room, and Cora said there is a possibility he could begin baseball activities when the Red Sox return from their upcoming seven-game road trip.

Lefty Brian Johnson (left elbow inflammation) threw a bullpen session on Saturday and is projected to pitch in a Minor League game on Monday or Tuesday.

Vazquez one to watch

Christian Vázquez has made opponents take notice when he approaches the plate. Following his solo homer in Saturday's 7-3 loss, he is hitting .531 in his last 10 games. The production is not a fluke.

“He’s not the same guy [who] two years ago, three years ago, was just getting lucky and getting hits,” Cora said.

Cora credits Vazquez’s hand-eye coordination and the work he put in during the offseason on his swing as reasons for his success this season. He noted that Vazquez viewed the role of everyday catcher as a challenge, not a reason to become complacent. Cora also pointed to the sense of pride Vazquez has in being a catcher from Puerto Rico.

“We have a great culture catching-wise, and he wants to be recognized like that,” Cora said. “That’s cool to see.”

Hernandez called up to Pawtucket

Marco Hernández has been promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, another step for the infielder who has not played in a Major League game since May 3, 2017, because of an injured left shoulder. Hernandez spent the first 25 games of this season on the injured list following surgery to repair the shoulder.

“If it’s 'A' ball or Rookie League or Dominican Summer League, he just wants to play, which is good,” Cora said of Hernandez, who has a .284 career batting average. “I’m glad that he’s going to go up there. He’s a guy that, when healthy, everybody knows what he can do.”