Trevor Story and J.D. Martinez each drive in two runs as Boston beats Cleveland for the third day in a row, 8-3.

Sale, recovering from a rib injury, could pitch in Portland next week.

Nick Pivetta wins for the eighth time in his last 10 starts, and Christian Arroyo homers and drives in three runs in his return from the COVID-19 list.

Arroyo will start at shortstop on Friday as Xander Bogaerts gets the night off.

Tanner Houck could have been re-inserted into the starting rotation, but his value as a closer addresses an equally important issue.

Jarren Duran joins Tanner Houck as unvaccinated players on Boston’s 26-man roster who will miss a three-game series in Toronto, which starts Monday.

Jarren Duran and Alex Verdugo each add two-run doubles as Boston wins for the eighth time in 10 games.

Houck has established himself as the Red Sox closer, but is ineligible to travel to Canada because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.

Downs, acquired in the Mookie Betts trade, is batting just .180 for Triple-A Worcester this season.

Boston gets home runs from Trevor Story and Christian Vázquez, and Nick Pivetta strikes out 10 in a 6-4 victory.