Righty reliever Justin Slaten, who has been out since May 29 due to shoulder inflammation in his pitching arm, played catch from the mound Tuesday in Boston, marking the first time he has toed the rubber in about two months. Next up are real bullpen sessions for Slaten, whose recovery has been slower than expected.

The Boston Red Sox are in a position to add to their team in the coming days, but that does not mean they won't be willing to part ways with any of their current contributors.

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in adding Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller, although they have competition from other teams, per Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Red Sox’ need for a starting pitcher reached a new level of obviousness Tuesday. That leaves the Sox mulling their options. Fitts’s spot comes up again Sunday, but thanks to an off day on Thursday, they can wait till as late as Tuesday if they want.

Boston is reportedly trying to acquire one of the best starting pitchers on the trade market, as The Athletic's Jim Bowden reported that a handful of teams, including the Red Sox, are calling the Twins about ace pitcher Joe Ryan at an "annoying level".

After electing free agency last week, the 30-year-old backstop agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles' division rival.

The Boston Red Sox have until Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. to bolster their bullpen to make a push for the playoffs.

On Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI posted a picture of Chadwick Tromp, a 30-year-old veteran who has played for three major league teams, in the Worcester Red Sox's dugout. At the time, the Red Sox and Minor League Baseball transaction log had yet to reflect anything about a signing.

Craig Breslow has maintained that the Red Sox will add at the trade deadline. If so, how could that look? To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Red Sox beat writer Jen McCaffrey hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Tuesday afternoon. Here are five key questions that were asked and answered during the chat.

Keirsey broke open a scoreless game in the third inning with his second home run of the season, after which he noted he felt Paddack’s absence as he came back to the dugout and noticed the starting pitcher wasn’t waiting on the top step as usual to place the team’s celebratory helmet on his head.

Former Red Sox outfielder and World Series champ Jackie Bradley Jr. was in New Hampshire golfing with 60 kids on Monday.

WORCESTER — Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson called top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlin into his office Sunday, telling them “it’s that time of the year.” The MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. and Epperson had the two pitchers thinking they were being dealt.