TORONTO — Batting practice is usually a perfunctory part of the day for a major league team. But Tuesday’s session at the Rogers Centre before the Red Sox played the Blue Jays held special appeal.
Principal owner John Henry was on the field watching along with general manager Ben Cherington and manager John Farrell. They wanted to see how Hanley Ramirez looked.
For the first time since he took a line drive off his left hand on May 24, Ramirez was on the field hitting. He whacked a few balls into the seats and hit line drives around the field. Farrell was waiting afterward to pat him on the back.
“I would expect him in the lineup [Wednesday],” Farrell said after the game.
Ramirez is not quite as sure of that, giving odd answers to seemingly simple questions.
“I don’t know,” Ramirez said when asked if he would play on Wednesday.
Told that Farrell said he would, Ramirez grimaced.
“He plays for me now?” he said.
Asked again whether he would play, Ramirez didn’t stop as he walked out of the clubhouse.
“Maybe,” he said.
Ramirez did say he felt the round of batting practice went well. The Red Sox seem to have prodded him along, sending their left fielder back to Boston for Monday for an MRI that came back clean.
“I think it’s helped for sure,” Farrell said. “Hands to a hitter are vitally important. The fact he was able to get some peace of mind through the MRI results followed up with some work, things are coming together.”
The Red Sox had Rusney Castillo in Toronto and were prepared to add him to the roster in the event Ramirez had some sort of setback and was placed on the disabled list.
With Triple A Pawtucket at Rochester, it was easy for the Red Sox to take advantage of the “taxi squad” rule that has been in place since 2012.
Victorino closer
Shane Victorino’s return also is picking up speed. The right fielder, who has been on the disabled list since May 24 with a strained left calf, could be activated as soon as Friday.
Victorino played for Double A Portland on Tuesday, going 1 for 3 with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. He also was hit by a pitch. Victorino is scheduled for another game on Wednesday. If he clears that hurdle, a return to the majors would be next.
“I wouldn’t rule that out,” Farrell said. “We could see him activated on the homestand.”
Victorino has played in five games in his rehab assignment.
The Sox could use a right field platoon of Victorino and Alejandro De Aza by the weekend.
De Aza started in left field for the sixth consecutive game Tuesday. He is 10 of 22 filling in for Ramirez with five extra-base hits, seven RBIs, and four runs. He hit .317 in his first 20 games after being obtained from Baltimore.
“The way Alejandro has contributed on both sides of the ball, certainly not going to lose sight of what he’s done,” Farrell said.
De Aza, 31, was concerned about his future when Baltimore designated him for assignment on May 27.
“You wonder what will happen. I was happy I got to Boston,” De Aza said. “I knew a lot of guys on this team, David [Ortiz] especially. I have known him since 2005. It has been great to play with him.”
De Aza has been primarily a center fielder in his eight major league seasons. That has enabled him to play the corner positions effectively.
“There are differences, but I have the ability to go get the ball from playing center,” he said. “I feel comfortable wherever they put me.”
Once Ramirez returns, De Aza’s versatility will come into play as Farrell tries to get all of the outfielders playing time.
“I know Hanley will play,” De Aza said. “He’s a great hitter and we need him. Hopefully I’m showing them I should play, too.”
Hanigan on the way
Ryan Hanigan has played seven games on his injury rehabilitation assignment, catching in four of them. Farrell said he expects Hanigan to be activated Wednesday.
“I would hope so,” he said. ‘I would anticipate him being here ready to go.”
Hanigan played both games of a doubleheader Monday for Portland and came through fine. He has been on the 60-day DL since May 2 with a broken finger on his right hand.
Hanigan had 25 plate appearances in the seven rehab games. “Felt like the number of at-bats he was able to accumulate was positive all the way around.” Farrell said.
The Red Sox are 10-7 in games Hanigan started this season. Farrell said no corresponding move had been made yet. Unless the Sox keep three catchers, either Blake Swihart will be optioned to Triple A or Sandy Leon designated for assignment.
Top pick signs
The Red Sox have agreed on a contract with first-round pick Andrew Benintendi, an outfielder from Arkansas. He was the seventh pick overall.
Benintendi received a bonus of $3,590,400, the exact amount his slot in the draft order was worth.
Benintendi has been working out with Single A Lowell and should soon be assigned to that roster. The lefthanded hitter won the 2015 Golden Spikes Award as the top amateur in the country. He hit .376 for the Razorbacks with 20 homers, 50 walks, 24 steals, 62 runs, and 57 RBIs in 65 games.
The Sox also signed third-round pick Austin Rei, a catcher from the University of Washington. He received a $742,000 bonus, the amount that pick was slotted for.
Three other picks — catcher Andrew Noviello (25th round), lefthander Bobby Poyner (14th round), and outfielder Tyler Spoon (35th round) — also signed. Noviello is out of Bridgewater-Raynham High.
The Sox have signed 24 of their 39 drafted players.
Road warriors
The Sox have won seven of their last nine on the road . . . The Sox finished 14-14 in June . . . Catcher Christian Vazquez, who had Tommy John elbow surgery in April, has started swinging a bat. His throwing program won’t start until August. Vazquez has been traveling with the team for most of the season . . . The Sox released veteran righthander Denny Bautista, who was signed to a minor league contract in April. Bautista appeared in six minor league games and was hit hard in three starts for Single A Greenville.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.