The Red Sox continue to get closer to fielding a full roster. Dustin Pedroia just completed a round of batting practice, on a day when he received a positive progress report about his still-healing broken foot. Jason Varitek is now off crutches for his broken foot, and Jacoby Ellsbury is working out with the club as he prepares to shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

Here are the details:

–Both  Varitek and Pedroia had scans on Friday to examine the progress of their broken bones, and Sox manager Terry Francona suggested that both had experienced “significant healing” since their last such exams. Pedroia, who had experienced discomfort while running in Anaheim on Monday, ran again on Friday with more promising results. He was told that he can begin to ramp up his activities as he moves closer to a return.

“Pedroia actually just came in from running. It went real well. It showed significant healing. Not healed, but good healing,” said Francona.
“More importantly, I think his exam went really well, so he’s got the go-ahead to start ramping up the running again. He did about 10 to 12 [sprints at] 90 feet, and the idea is just to kind of keep building. I think he took some groundballs, too . He felt good.”

Varitek is not yet that far along, but he is now off crutches, and will be able to start walking without a boot on Saturday. So that was good news.

“He’s a bit away from playing, for sure, but both reports came back really good,” said Francona.

Francona said that Pedroia would “probably” require a minor league rehab assignment before getting back in the lineup.

–Ellsbury is working out with the Sox on Friday, and will play in Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday. At that point, he’ll be re-evaluated and the next step will be determined.

–The Sox will hold off on a roster move involving Mike Lowell for another day or two, waiting for the trade deadline to pass before deciding what to do with the corner infielder, who could get dealt in the next 24 hours.

“There’s possible movement. The deadline is tomorrow,” said Francona. “It just seems to make sense to get through another day or two days and then do what we need to do.”

(For Lowell’s thoughts, click here.)

–J.D. Drew, who was scratched from the lineup just prior to Tuesday’s game and then sat out of Wednesday’s game, is back in the lineup after a three-day respite. “That’s great news,” said Francona.

–Francona said that he is trying to steer clear of conversations with GM Theo Epstein, as he does not want to put the general manager in a position where he feels like he needs to make a move that fails to balance the short- and long-term interests of the club.

“I know Theo and those guys are down there working. If he thinks he can make us better while making sense, he’ll do it. I’m confident of that,” said Francona. “I think he does a good job of trying to stay, keep track of the present and the future. Sometimes when you’re in uniform, all you care about is today. [I] try not to have conversations with him where he feels like, pressure from me to do something that would hinder our future.”