TORONTO -- Dustin Pedroia's name was scratched off the list of Red Sox players scheduled to take on-field batting practice on Sunday, but this isn't necessarily a setback in the second baseman's recovery from a thumb injury. It may simply have been a precautionary move from the club's training staff, as manager Bobby Valentine reported that Pedroia "had no effects" after taking batting practice on Saturday.

"He said he's ready to back up Nick [Punto]," joked Valentine, in reference to the three-hit, two-RBI, two-run performance from interim second baseman Punto in Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Blue Jays.

Monday's off-day may serve as the decision day for Pedroia's status. Valentine said he and the training staff would "probably talk" tomorrow about whether or not Pedroia would have to go on the 15-day disabled list. Valentine added that Pedroia would likely continue to rehabilitate his injury during the break in the schedule.

"He'll probably do something tomorrow," Valentine said. "He'll definitely get treatment. I'll bet he swings a little somewhere."

Pedroia hasn't played since tearing an adductor muscle in his right thumb during Boston's 7-4 win over Detroit on May 28, an absence that is likely to stretch to six games as Pedroia wasn't in Sunday's starting lineup. Despite the injury, Pedroia was almost pressed into action on Saturday when shortstop Mike Aviles was hit in the hand by a ground ball during the third inning. It ended up being only a minor injury, as Aviles tried to wave Valentine and trainer Rick Jameyson off before they even came onto the field.

Had Aviles been forced to leave the game, Valentine said he would have moved Punto to short and inserted Pedroia at second base.

"When Mike got hit with the ball, [Pedroia] was ready to go on the field," Valentine said, noting that he would have been comfortable letting Pedroia play.

Adrian Gonzalez was out of right field and back at his regular first-base position, with Kevin Youkilis getting the start at third base. Rookie Will Middlebrooks was relegated to the bench as Valentine continued to juggle his corner infielders' playing time. Middlebrooks is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and has an impressive .898 OPS in 26 games since being called up on May 2.

Another hot-hitting rookie was in the lineup, however, as Daniel Nava got the start in left field. Valentine had said earlier in the week that he was thinking of sitting Nava for one of the weekend games in Toronto but decided that Monday's off-day would be rest enough for the 29-year-old.

"He's young, he's strong, he's feeling good," Valentine said. "The last thing he needs is two days away. He's making good contact."

The Red Sox confirmed that right-hander Ross Ohlendorf opted out of his minor league contract with the team and elected free agency. Ohlendorf had the right to opt out if he wasn't on Boston's major league roster by June 1, and since the club had no open spots in the rotation, the Sox had no need to give Ohlendorf the call.