BOSTON -- Despite Jackie Bradley Jr.'s near three-week stint at Pawtucket, Red Sox manager John Farrell thinks his defense in center field has been so exceptional that he still deserves strong consideration to win the Gold Glove Award.

"As someone who votes on those, I don't know how others might look at the break in service time," said Farrell. "He'd get my vote, from what we've seen."

In fact, Farrell thinks Bradley is the best there is at his position defensively.

"I think we'd be hard pressed to find a defender better than Jackie Bradley in center field," Farrell said. "Whether it's in our uniform or anybody's uniform, in the Major Leagues, I think he's the best center fielder in the game."

Bradley, who returned to the Red Sox on Friday, was back in Farrell's lineup for the first time since Aug. 17.

Worth noting

• While Mike Napoli and Brock Holt remained out of the lineup with flu-like symptoms Sunday, designated hitter David Ortiz was also given a day off. Ortiz is still bothered by soreness in his right foot due to a contusion he suffered from a foul ball Aug. 24.

• Koji Uehara, who hasn't pitched since blowing a save Thursday in New York, will return to action in the coming days.

"Possibly by sometime later in the Baltimore series, but in a low leverage situation," said Farrell.