RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Moreland hurting

All-Star first baseman Mitch Moreland nursing a sore knee.

BOSTON -- It seemed like curious inaction from Red Sox manager Alex Cora.

Mitch Moreland was left on the bench in the ninth inning of Thursday night’s 2-1 loss to the Twins. The All-Star first baseman was 6 for 10 in his career against Minnesota closer Fernando Rodney and holds an .830 OPS in 92 career plate appearances as a pinch hitter.

Friday shed more light on Cora’s decision, as Moreland was absent from the starting lineup against another right-hander in Twins starter Lance Lynn. Moreland has been dealing with soreness in his left knee, something he’s managed without complaint to this point after undergoing offseason surgery to repair his medial meniscus.

“I think if I had to today I could get in there,” Moreland said. “I think we’re shooting for the weekend.”

Cora declined to make Moreland’s condition known in his postgame remarks on Thursday. He was willing to accept criticism for the decision in order to protect his player. Only after Moreland disclosed the issue to the media on Friday afternoon did Cora fully explain himself.

“The thing about that – I want to make sure we’re clear,” Cora said. “I can’t let everybody know what’s going on with the 25-man roster when I have a manager over there trying to manage against me. That was the reason we didn’t mention anything.

“Obviously he’s not in the lineup, so you guys know a little bit now. He’s available.”

Cora said Moreland was “a little banged up” and has been managing his symptoms “for a while.” The surgery was partly necessitated by Moreland playing through a broken toe last season, a grinder’s approach that Cora has attempted to reel in throughout his roster in his first year on the job.

“If it’s up to Mitch, he’s not coming out of the lineup,” Cora said. “We’ve got to be careful with him.”

“I think it keeps everybody from getting too banged up and having to fight through stuff as much,” Moreland said. “He’s done a great job with it, and we’ve got such a deep team that we’re able to do that. Guys can step up and help us win night in and night out. You look around the room and everybody’s stepped up and done it.”

Medical updates: Eduardo Rodriguez (right ankle) and Steven Wright (left knee inflammation) both have played catch on flat ground at the beginning of this homestand.

It’s significant considering the amount of time each starting pitching is projected to miss. Rodriguez is in and out of a walking boot after suffering his injury during his final start before the All-Star break. Wright hasn’t appeared since a June 22 start against the Mariners, tagged for 10 earned runs in a 14-10 victory.

Rodriguez, in particular, has impressed Cora with his rehab approach. The 25-year-old has been derailed in the past due to a balky right knee, but Rodriguez is the one pushing the issue of a quick return this time.

“It’s something that a lot of people in the clubhouse are talking about,” Cora said. “Compared to last year with the knee issue, he was very hesitant to do stuff. Now it’s the other way around.”

Dustin Pedroia (left knee inflammation) remains at his Arizona home working with his personal trainer. Christian Vazquez (fractured right pinkie) will return to Boston from his Miami home on Monday for a doctor’s visit.

On the hill: Brian Johnson received a no decision on Thursday, but don’t close the book on him as a starter just yet.

The left-hander has pitched to a 1.88 earned-run average over his last five outings, production that can’t easily be ignored. Drew Pomeranz will start again on Tuesday, but there are no guarantees beyond that with the Red Sox enjoying something of a surplus of pitchers on their current staff.

“He’s pitching Tuesday,” Cora said. “We’ll go from there.”

Like Wright previously this season, Johnson declined to lobby for a place in the rotation during his postgame comments. Pomeranz could be a bad outing or two from having his spot taken for the second time in 2018, an unexpected development after serving arguably as the club’s No. 2 starter a season ago. Pomeranz tallied a 2.84 ERA over his final 25 starts in 2017, cutting almost two full runs off an ERA that stood at 5.29 after an 11-2 loss to the Rays on May 14.

“Honestly, I’m willing to help in any way I can,” Johnson said. “If I go to the bullpen then I’m going to do the best I can – and work as hard as I can to do the best I can – out of the bullpen.”