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Rotation changes on the horizon for Red Sox

Brian Johnson has made one major league start, allowing four runs over 4<span class="onethird"><span class="web_fractions">⅓</span> </span> innings against Houston on July 21.Richard Carson/Associated Press

The Red Sox will stick with their current rotation though the weekend, sending out the underachievers who have put together a 4.85 earned run average, the highest among any group of starters in the American League.

But change is coming.

Manager John Farrell said Wednesday that lefthander Brian Johnson will be worked into the rotation next week and another young lefty, Henry Owens, will likely join him.

“All that is on the horizon,” he said.

The Red Sox will start Steven Wright on Thursday against the White Sox followed by Eduardo Rodriguez, Joe Kelly, and Wade Miley against the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Monday is a scheduled day off and “we’ve got the ability to adjust going forward,” Farrell said.

Johnson pitched for Triple A Pawtucket on Tuesday and Owens went on Wednesday. They could get one more start in the minors before pitching for the Red Sox in the series in Detroit that starts on Aug. 7.

Farrell said it was unlikely the Sox would pitch either rookie against the Yankees next week.

Johnson has started one game already for the Sox. He faced the Astros on July 21 and allowed four runs on three hits over 4⅓ innings. The 24-year-old is 9-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 17 starts for Pawtucket.

Owens was 3-7 with a 3.25 ERA in 20 starts for the Paw Sox prior to his facing Norfolk on Wednesday.

Both Johnson and Owens are former first-round picks.

Betts to DL

Center fielder Mookie Betts was placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list, the result of the hard fall he took into the Red Sox bullpen on Tuesday night.

Tests confirmed that Betts did suffer a concussion and now his return will be predicated on his passing a test administered by Major League Baseball.

Betts was at Fenway Park on Wednesday but was sent home before the game to avoid the bright lights and noise, which could aggravate his symptoms.

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“The timetable for this is unknown,” Farrell said.

Betts fell over the bullpen wall trying to make a catch on a ball struck by Jose Abreu in the sixth inning. He landed hard on his upper back and neck and became dizzy before he could make his way to the dugout.

Betts did not suffer any other injuries according to Farrell.

The Red Sox have had experience with concussions in recent years. Former Red Sox infielder Stephen Drew and catcher David Ross missed time in 2013, and utility man Brock Holt was shut down at the end of last season.

Dr. Micky Collins, an expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, treated all three players. Betts is not yet scheduled to see Collins.

“If this persists, I would think there would be further exams needed,” Farrell said. “He needs some time to regroup right now.”

Bradley gets a chance

The Red Sox have been stingy with opportunities for Jackie Bradley Jr. this season. But Farrell said Bradley would be the everyday center fielder with Betts out.

“This is an opportunity for Jackie and for us to see him in game situations,” Farrell said.

Bradley has hit .305 with an .853 OPS in 71 games for Triple A Pawtucket. But until Wednesday, his playing time in the majors consisted of 30 at-bats over 14 games.

Allen Craig, Daniel Nava, Rusney Castillo, and Alejandro De Aza have all logged more innings in the outfield than Bradley, a Gold Glove finalist last season.

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Bradley hit .196 for the Sox over 530 plate appearances from 2013-14. He changed his approach at the plate during the winter, shortening his swing. The results have been there in Triple A.

“I’ve felt good at the plate,” Bradley said. “Trying to be consistent.”

Said Farrell: “You can see it in his swing path and his performance in spring training was consistent with closing up some of the holes that emerged last year. It’s been able to be carried over while in Pawtucket and now it’s a matter of being able to do it against major league pitching.”

Rutledge arrives

Josh Rutledge, the infielder acquired from the Angels for Shane Victorino, was added to the roster and infielder Jemile Weeks was designated for assignment . . . Righthanded reliever Jean Machi, who was claimed off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, is expected to join the team on Thursday.


Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.