Price shaping up for Red Sox

On injured list battling elbow tendinitis, David Price throws on flat ground.

BALTIMORE -- David Price may well prove prophetic.

The Red Sox pitcher insisted Monday his stint on the injured list could be a short one. Price is battling left elbow tendinitis, but that didn’t prevent him from playing catch on flat ground at Camden Yards on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s the first time Price has thrown in any fashion since his Thursday start at the White Sox. Price experienced soreness in the elbow and was subsequently diagnosed, curtailing what has been a solid beginning to his season. Price has totaled 36 innings through six starts and posted a rotation-low 3.75 earned-run average.

“He’s feeling good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves, but it was good. We’ll see how he reacts tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Price was hopeful he’d miss just a lone start with Boston scheduled for three off days between now and May 17. The Red Sox were already short a starter with Nathan Eovaldi (right elbow) on the injured list after undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Josh Smith recorded 10 outs in Monday’s 4-1 defeat against the Orioles and Hector Velazquez was set to make his fifth start of the season on Tuesday against the Orioles.

“If it was September and he felt this way, no way was he going to accept us putting him on the IL,” Cora said Monday. “We’re going to be good. We feel that what we did was the right thing. We took care of guys.”

Brian Johnson (left elbow) threw for the second straight day as he continues his own return to the 25-man roster. The left-hander threw 15 pitches in a simulated game, facing first base coach Tom Goodwin, third base coach Carlos Febles and assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett. Johnson threw a short bullpen session on Monday and figures to work at least one more time before starting a rehab assignment.

“He faced Andy, Carlos and (Goodwin),” Cora said. “They looked bad, but he felt fine. He was trying to throw a few breaking balls. Same thing – let’s see how he reacts.”

On fire: Christian Vazquez continued his strong start to the season at the plate by providing nearly all of Monday night’s production.

Vazquez singled, doubled and scored a run in the series-opening 4-1 defeat against the Orioles. His 14 runs batted in through just 28 games have nearly matched the 16 he totaled in 80 games last season. Vazquez has also cracked five home runs, two more than his three in 2018, and has posted a career-high OPS to date of .815.

“What Christian is doing is fun to watch,” Cora said. “It’s not only offensively but behind the plate. You can see that he’s into it.”

Cora challenged Vazquez and former teammate Blake Swihart during an April meeting in Arizona. Boston was off to a dreadful start on its three-city West Coast swing and its pitching staff was in the process of being battered by the Mariners, Athletics and Diamondbacks.

“I said, ‘Whatever you guys do offensively, from now on you guys have to take ownership,’” Cora said. “‘What’s going on with the rotation – I don’t want to say it’s on you, but you’ve got to take pride.’ It seems like he took it that way.”

The Red Sox have shown a clear commitment to Vazquez by signing him to a three-year extension that began this season. He’s due to make $13.55 million through 2021 and Boston holds a club option for $7 million in 2022.

Checking out soccer: Tuesday’s pregame clubhouse viewing choice was Champions League soccer.

Liverpool’s remarkable 4-3 comeback victory over Barcelona in the two-legged semifinal was certain to please several members of the Red Sox organization. Principal owner John Henry, of course, also holds a controlling stake in the five-time European champions.

“What a day,” Cora said. “That was fun.”

Xander Bogaerts was among those in support of Fenway Sports Group’s other primary asset. Eduardo Rodriguez, Sandy Leon and others looked on in despair as the Spain-based power was knocked out of the competition.