Sandoval pinch-hits Thursday, should play Friday

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BOSTON - If there was any wondering as to whether or not Pablo Sandoval was further away from returning than the Red Sox were letting on, that was put to rest Thursday night.

Though Sandoval sat out his second straight game after taking a 94-mph fastball to his knee on Tuesday, he did make a pinch-hit appearance Thursday night for Sandy Leon to lead off the eight inning.

It didn't go well - Sandoval struck out - but the fact he's cleared to get up in the batter's box is the positive everybody will take out of it.

Farrell expects Sandoval to be back in the lineup Friday night. The Sox will need him, too, as Garrett Richards takes the mound for the Angels.

"We would hope he'd be in the lineup tomorrow," Farrell said of Sandoval. "He felt fine and had taken a number of swings in the innings leading up to that spot -- he looked OK."

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