Masterson (shoulder) was activated from the DL on Tuesday, and he'll pitch out of the bullpen, Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston reports.

After tossing a successful bullpen session, the Red Sox's medical staff has given Masterson the green light to return, but it appears the more than month away from the team has cost Masterson his rotation spot. For the time being, he'll move to the bullpen and figures to see most of his action in long relief.

Masterson (shoulder) will not make a rehab start Monday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson threw a side session Sunday according to Sean McAdam of CSN New England, which essentially throws the possibility of a rehab start Monday out the window. The right-hander is now tentatively lined up to throw another bullpen session Tuesday, and if all continues to go well, he'll likely be activated in the near future. However, it appears he's lost his rotation spot during his time on the shelf, leaving him with minimal value to fantasy owners in the short term.

Masterson (shoulder) will either go to the bullpen or make another rehab start, the Providence Journal's Tim Britton reports.

This rules out Masterson joining the big league rotation in the short term, but it is not surprising. A bullpen role would probably make the most sense, as Masterson's arsenal has the potential to play up in short bursts. The team has not said when a decision on the 30-year-old righty will be made.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson, who has been sidelined by right shoulder tendinitis since May 12, will either make another rehab start or join the bullpen, according to the Providence Journal.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson, who has been sidelined by right shoulder tendinitis since May 12, will either make another rehab start or join the bullpen, according to the Providence Journal. Masterson started seven games before being sidelined, posting a 2-2 record with a 6.37 ERA over 35.1 innings while striking out 24. "I think he's proved he's ready to come back," Red Sox manager John Farrell told MLB.com. "It depends on what role we put him in. We haven't ruled out the possibility of that being in the bullpen." The 30-year old Masterson has started 175 times in his 240 career appearances entering the season, with 150 of those starts coming in 162 appearances over the last five seasons. In Masterson's absence, Eduardo Rodriguez has made four starts, allowing 10 runs over 25.1 innings, but nine of those runs came in his last start on June 14 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Manager John Farrell said Masterson (shoulder) is "ready to come back," the Boston Globe reports. "We've got a decision to be made here in the coming days," the manager said. "Depends on what role we put him in."

Masterson made four rehab starts, the last of which proved he doesn't need any more starts in the minors. The decision's been made to bring him back to Boston; the only thing left to decide is whether he's a starter or reliever. We suspect he'll pitch out of the pen.

Masterson (shoulder) allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out four in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. The start was Masterson's fourth while out on rehab.

Masterson elevated his pitch count to 89 and is seemingly ready to return to Boston, though whether that is as a starter or reliever is not yet clear. We suspect he'll pitch in a relief role, but there's still some time on the rehab clock, so the Red Sox don't have to make a decision at this time.

Masterson (shoulder) will make another rehab start at Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Masterson looked sharp in his third rehab outing with Pawtucket a few days earlier, giving up one run and striking out six over six innings. While he looks healthy and ready to go, the Red Sox don't currently have a starting role waiting for Masterson, with rookie Eduardo Rodriguez already excelling since arriving in the big leagues. Masterson may have to settle for a swingman role once he returns to the Red Sox, unless manager John Farrell ends up deciding that the right-hander rates as a better rotation option than the struggling Wade Miley or Joe Kelly.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson will make another rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday as he works his way back from shoulder tendinitis, according to the Providence Journal.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson will make another rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday as he works his way back from shoulder tendinitis, according to the Providence Journal. Masterson was sharp in his most recent rehab outing, giving up one run and striking out six batters over six innings. The team still wants him to make a fourth rehab appearance, after he gave up four runs on 10 hits and four walks over 6.1 innings through his first two appearances. Masterson is seemingly healthy enough to pitch in the majors, but his role with the team remains in limbo. He has a 6.37 ERA through seven big-league starts (35.1 innings) this season, with only 24 strikeouts and 19 walks. The Red Sox may eventually opt to use him in the bullpen, but Masterson could also be an option to replace ineffective pitchers Joe Kelly or Wade Miley in the rotation.

Masterson made his third rehabilitation start Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits and a walk while striking out six in six innings for Triple-A Pawtucket.

This was Masterson's best start of the three while out on rehab assignment, and it certainly doesn't look like he needs a fourth. The next decision for Boston is whether Masterson returns as a starter or a reliever. He will meet with the team when it returns home Friday to discuss the next step.

Masterson (shoulder) will make his next rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Pawtucket, according to Tom Caron of NESN.

Masterson continues to start while out on his rehab assignment, but the consensus speculation is that he'll return to Boston's active roster as a reliever. Circumstances could change, so Masterson will be prepared to start if the need arises.

Masterson allowed two runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out two in 4.2 innings in a rehab start for Double-A Portland. It was his second rehab start, after going on the disabled list May 13 with shoulder tendinitis.

Masterson got his pitch count up to 80 and could remain in the minors for one more rehab start, manager John Farrell suggested to the Boston Globe. There's a chance he could pitch out of the bullpen once he returns.

Masterson (shoulder) will make his next rehabilitation start Friday for Double-A Portland, the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson's first rehab start was Sunday, when he allowed three runs in 1.2 innings after reaching his 50-pitch limit.

Masterson allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out two in 1.2 innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket. He threw 50 pitches, 30 strikes.

Masterson had been scheduled to throw three innings, but the pitch count ran up and he was unable to get out of the second inning. He'll get another couple of starts at a minimum before the Red Sox determine his next step. At this point, there are a few moving pieces on the roster and it's not certain Masterson will return as a starter.

Masterson (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch three innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Masterson figures to make multiple rehab appearances while trying to overcome shoulder soreness and his early-season struggles. Steven Wright has been better than Masterson so far, but it's hard to have much faith in Wright's continued success, and Joe Kelly has been a disaster. Masterson may thus get another shot in the big-league starting rotation, despite posting a 6.37 ERA and 24:19 K:BB ratio through his first seven outings (35.1 innings).

Masterson (shoulder) threw an extended bullpen session Wednesday and hopes to make a rehab start this weekend or early next week, the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson will get a few starts in the minor before the Red Sox bring him back up to Boston.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson hopes to make a rehab start this weekend or early next week as he recovers from a shoulder injury, according to the Boston Globe.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson hopes to make a rehab start this weekend or early next week as he recovers from a shoulder injury, according to the Boston Globe. Masterson, who last pitched in a game May 12, threw an extended bullpen session Wednesday.

Masterson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last Friday and will throw at least three sessions before being sent out on a rehab assignment, the Boston Globe reports.

Since Masterson was placed on the disabled list, the Red Sox starting staff have performed well, including his replacement, Steven Wright. There's been no mention of moving him to the bullpen, but it's something to keep in mind as Boston's starting rotation has righted itself after April's debacle.

Masterson (shoulder) worked on his mechanics and did some throwing from flat ground again Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Masterson did the same prior to Friday's game, and continues to rehab from shoulder tendinitis that sent him to the disabled list. His timetable to rejoin the club remains a bit unclear, but a return when available still seems possible at this point. However, he'll need to continue progressing without setbacks for that to happen.

Masterson (shoulder) did some light throwing in the outfield prior to Friday night's game, the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson, who was placed on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis Thursday, was working on his mechanics with Boston's new pitching coach Carl Willis.

Masterson was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reports.

Masterson was expected to move to the disabled list, and that has now been a confirmed move. The Red Sox recalled Robbie Ross Jr. on Thursday in a corresponding move, and he'll likely take over Masterson's place in the rotation while he's on the shelf.