Red Sox lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez is walking without pain and is expected to be ready for spring training after injuring his right knee while pitching in Venezuela Dec. 27.
The Sox are planning to have Rodriguez come to Boston to be examined by team doctors, but no date has been set.
“He is feeling fine at this point and is walking without pain,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday. “So we feel no sense of urgency.”
Rodriguez remained in Venezuela over the holidays, but will soon return to the United States.
The 23-year-old lefthander started four games in the Venezuela Winter League and pitched well, allowing four runs over 10⅔ innings and striking out 12.
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Rodriguez was 3-7 with a 4.71 earned run average in 20 starts for the Red Sox last season and is expected to compete for one of the rotation spots.
Rodriguez was hoping to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. The injury could preclude that, but Dombrowski said no decision has been reached.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.