Red Sox notes: Pedroia, Ross, Dice-K, Prior

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TORONTOSecond baseman Dustin Pedroia left Mondays game after the fifth inning with a jammed right thumb and has not played since. For the first time since then, Pedroia took groundballs at second base before the start of Fridays game against the Blue Jays. Pedroia wore a modified splint on his right hand.

Before Pedroia went out to the field, manager Bobby Valentine said there was no timetable for Pedroias return to the lineup.

Just want to let nature takes its time, Valentine said.

While Pedroias on-field activities could be considered progress, it remains to be seen how his thumb responds to the work.

Outfielder Cody Ross, on the disabled list retroactive to May 19 with a fracture in his left navicular bone, will have his foot reexamined upon the teams return to Boston after the three-game series in Toronto.

He is eligible to be activated Sunday. Valentine said when Ross is activated he will probably need some rehab games.

Daisuke Matsuzaka took the loss Thursday as Triple-A Pawtucket fell to Norfolk, 2-0, Thursday. Matsuzaka went 5 13 innings, giving up a run on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. The lone run came on Lew Fords first-inning home run.

Still, Valentine said the reports on Matsuzaka were favorable.

Reports were much better, valentine said. First-inning home run, up to 94 mph, sat at 91, changeup, worked quick with men on base.

Matsuzaka will stay with the PawSox as they travel for a four-game series to Lehigh Valley to do his side work. He is scheduled to make his next rehab start Tuesday, when the team returns to McCoy Stadium to host Indianapolis.

Outfielder Darnell McDonald, on the DL retroactive to May 12 with a right oblique strain, has resumed his rehab assignment with Pawtucket. He is expected to play with the PawSox through the weekend, Valentine said.

Right-hander Mark Prior has joined the PawSox. Valentine said Prior, who has yet to make an appearance in a game after working out at the organizations training complex in Fort Myers, would work strictly out of the bullpen.

Hes made constant progress, Valentine said. People have liked his attitude and throwing ability.

Prior, who will be 32 in September, has not appeared in the major leagues since 2006 with the Cubs. He was the Cubs' first-round pick (second overall behind the Twins' Joe Mauer) in 2001.

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