ATLANTA — With the PawSox rained out at McCoy Stadium, Carson Smith threw off a mound indoors to stay on schedule during his rehab assignment. Smith is slated to toss a light bullpen Thursday before appearing in games for Pawtucket on Friday and Saturday.

That would set up the right-handed reliever for a return to the major-league club next Tuesday in Chicago — which manager John Farrell called "a logical goal for all of us."

Smith has been out since mid-March with a strain of the flexor mass in his right arm.

Eduardo Rodriguez will start for the PawSox on Thursday in Syracuse. Rodriguez had been slated to start for High-A Salem that day, but concerns about the weather forecast there have led the Red Sox to alter the schedule for the left-hander. The team hasn’t decided yet whether he'll require two or three rehab starts.

Joe Kelly has initiated his throwing program, working out to 90 feet in long toss. Pablo Sandoval's second opinion with Dr. James Andrews is scheduled for Monday in Pensacola.