OAKLAND -- Koji Uehara had a successful live batting practice session Saturday and could be activated as early as Monday, providing the Red Sox bullpen with a boost for the final four weeks of the season.
"Today was a good work day for Koji,'' said manager John Farrell. "He threw 26 pitches. He was aggressive and there was good action to his fastball and his split. He threw some cutters in there as well. So provided he comes in (Sunday) and goes through his normal workday, we could see an activation here coming in the coming days. We're hopeful it would (happen) in San Diego."
"I threw everything, just like last time,'' said Uehara through a translator. "I feel 100 percent."
Uehara, who noted that any decision about his pending activation will be made by the team, said he has no concerns about his readiness when that happens.
"There's no worry about that part,'' he said. "I've been playing this game for a long time."
As the Sox scramble to find trustworthy set-up options for the eighth inning, Uehara's return would be welcomed. He allowed eight homers in just 36 innings before being injured, but over his last nine appearances before he got hurt, Uehara posted a 2.35 ERA.
If he could pitch near that level, he would be plenty of help to a beleaguered bullpen.
Boston Red Sox
"He has the potential to be a proven closer-type of guy for us,'' said Farrell. "We know there are going to be a couple or three appearances where he's in almost a spring training mode -- low-leverage, just to get game-action under his belt, just to see how he responds."