TORONTO -- After throwing an increased volume of activity at David Price last week that included three side sessions in a span of six days, the Red Sox are taking a more conservative path with the lefty to start this week.

Price, who last threw off a mound on Saturday, is doing flat-ground work for the early part of this week.

"He threw out to 90 feet today," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He'll throw out to 120 feet tomorrow. Coming out of that, we'll determine the next step, as we've been doing of late."

The next time Price throws off the mound, it could be with some hitters in the box, perhaps in a simulated game type of setting.

But the Red Sox are being careful not to plan too far ahead for Price, who suffered a left elbow strain on Feb. 28.

Farrell wanted to make it clear that Price has not suffered a setback.

"No," Farrell said. "And he'll be back on the mound. We just know that with the volume and intensity that last week presented to him, we're making sure he goes through some long-toss and continues to build."

Worth noting

• Amid a stretch in which the Red Sox are playing 32 games in 33 days, second baseman Dustin Pedroia was out of Tuesday's lineup strictly for rest purposes. Marco Hernandez got the start at second, with Xander Bogaerts batting leadoff for the first time in his career.

"He's been in all 13 games," Farrell said of Pedroia. "We come off a stretch where we've had so many different start times and just felt like today was a day to keep Marco rotating through the infield somewhat and give [Pedroia] a day down."

• Eduardo Rodriguez , who missed Tuesday's start after being placed on the paternity list, could be activated as early as Wednesday if the Red Sox need him as a reliever. By rule, Rodriguez must be activated Thursday. Farrell expects Rodriguez to slot back into the rotation on his regular turn -- on Sunday in Baltimore.

• Jackie Bradley Jr. and Josh Rutledge both started Minor League rehab assignments for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday in a game at Charlotte. Rutledge, coming off a left hamstring strain, served as the designated hitter and homered in his first at-bat. Bradley, who is coming back from a right knee sprain, went 0-for-2 and played five innings in center field. Bradley could rejoin the Red Sox by Friday in Baltimore. Rutledge will probably be with Pawtucket a little longer. Yoan Moncada , the top prospect the Red Sox traded to get Chris Sale, homered in that game for Charlotte.

Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne and Facebook.