Red Sox RHP Justin Slaten expected back ‘in the upcoming days’

Right-hander Justin Slaten (right elbow inflammation) threw a rehab outing with the Portland Sea Dogs on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over 0.1 innings of work. He threw 17 pitches and recorded his lone out on a strikeout before giving way to Christopher Troye, who finished the top of the sixth but allowed one of Slaten’s inherited runners to score.

That one rehab outing may prove to be all Slaten needs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Slaten will throw a short bullpen session at Fenway Park on Sunday and that he could be activated soon afterwards.

“He’s going to touch the rubber here today,” Cora said. “Most likely he’ll be with us in the upcoming days.”

Tyler O’Neill, who missed two games with left fourth finger inflammation after suffering an injury during batting practice on Friday, was back in the lineup Sunday and is good to go.

Upcoming starters

The Red Sox will play five games in four days against the Toronto Blue Jays starting Monday, including the continuation of June 26’s suspended game. While the Game 1 starter on Monday is to be determined and will depend on how Sunday’s game plays out, the Red Sox laid out their plan for the other four games.

Nick Pivetta will start Monday night’s Game 2, followed by Cooper Criswell on Tuesday, Brayan Bello on Wednesday and Kutter Crawford on Thursday. Crawford technically started the original June 26 game and threw 23 pitches over 1.1 innings before the game was halted due to heavy rain, but because he pitched on Saturday he won’t be available to pick up where he left off.

Campbell not on Sept. radar

Kristian Campbell has been Boston’s breakout prospect this season, and since being promoted to Triple-A on Aug. 20 the former fourth-round pick has batted .421 with two home runs, nine RBI and a 1.240 OPS in his first four games. Overall Campbell has batted .343 with 18 home runs, 69 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a 1.028 OPS over 100 games across three minor league levels and he now ranks as a consensus top 100 prospect in baseball.

Given how good he’s been, is there any possibility Boston’s fast rising infielder could factor into the club’s September call-up plans? Cora suggested likely not.

“I haven’t talked about him in a while,” Cora said. “I mean, you talk about what he’s doing but not in this situation.”

Drafted last summer out of Georgia Tech, the 22-year-old infielder is only in his first full professional season and won’t become Rule 5 Draft eligible until after 2026. For that reason he likely won’t be added to the 40-man roster until next season at the earliest, though if he keeps progressing at his current pace it’s not out of the question he could make the Opening Day roster.

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