Boston Red Sox

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington hinted Thursday during a radio interview with WEEI the team probably won't engage in contract talks with outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury until after the season. Ellsbury is eligible for free agency in the offseason.

"It’s just, in this case, we agreed before the season that we would defer (contract negotiations) until the end of the season," Cherington said. "That’s our expectation right now. You never say never. Things can change. But our expectation is we pick up the conversation after the season.”

Red Sox DH David Ortiz stole third base for the first time in his career Wednesday against the White Sox. It was his first stolen base since 2011. 

"Just felt like it was a chance to gain 90 feet if we have a hard-hit basehit," manager John Farrell said, per the Boston Herald. "We felt like it was an opportunity to move up. I don't know if we'll make a habit of it."

It was still an encouraging sign about Ortiz's health. The slugger began the season on the disabled list because of lingering problems with his Achilles.

"I've been running well lately. I've been feeling better," Ortiz said. "If I feel well I'm going to run. I mean not steal bases, but try to take advantage of whatever's happening, whenever a guy hits the ball or whatever. ... Momentum in the game, it happens. And I don’t have a zero in that category anymore."

Red Sox reliever Andrew Bailey pitched the ninth inning in a non-save situation as Boston led 6-1 in Chicago Wednesday night. 

Bailey, who was making his first appearance since returning from the disabled list, gave up a run on Paul Konerko's solo homer. He threw 11 pitches and struck out one.

The Red Sox do not want to use Bailey, who has a 2.03 ERA, on back-to-back nights this early in his return from a biceps injury. 

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz improved to 7-0 with a 1.73 ERA after allowing an earned run on five hits and three walks over 113 pitches against Chicago Wednesday. He struck out four and his ERA dropped from 1.78.

The win ended a streak of three-straight no-decisions. Buchholz's next start is Monday against Philadelphia. 

Red Sox starter Ryan Dempster changed his usual pre-start routine after throwing 127 pitches in his last outing, the Boston Globe reports. 

Dempster flew to Boston to get a full night of sleep in advance of his start Thursday against the Indians. He skipped his normal bullpen session Tuesday and made throws from flat ground. 

"Talking with him as far as how his arm felt coming out of his last start, he didn't feel like there was any changes or lingering effect from the pitches he did throw," Sox manager John Farrell said.