Shane Victorino is inching closer to his return to the Boston Red Sox.
The outfielder will continue his minor league rehab assignment Thursday night with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, batting second and playing right field against the Buffalo Bisons. The game at McCoy Stadium starts at 7:05 p.m. will air on NESN.
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Victorino soon could be activated for the second half of the season if all goes well with the PawSox, Red Sox manager John Farrell confirmed during his meeting with reporters at Fenway Park. Hamstring and back injuries have kept Victorino on the disabled list since May 23, limiting him to just 21 games with Boston this season.
The Flyin’ Hawaiian played five innings in the annual “Futures at Fenway” game Sunday with the Single-A Lowell Spinners, going 0-for-2 with a walk. Victorino was hitting .242 for the Red Sox before landing on the DL.
Will Middlebrooks, who’s also rehabbing with Pawtucket, injured his left wrist while sliding Friday and will not be in the lineup.
