BALTIMORE — If the Red Sox advance beyond the first round of the American League playoffs, there’s a chance they could add an All-Star pitcher to their rotation.

Steven Wright threw to 120 feet on Wednesday at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Fla. He could join the team for this weekend’s series in St. Petersburg, and throw in the bullpen.

Wright has not pitched since Aug. 31 because of inflammation in his right shoulder. But he has made considerable progress in the last week and could figure into postseason plans.

Teams can change their rosters between postseason series. With the ALCS not starting until Oct. 14, Wright could have time to build back up if the Red Sox advance that far.

As long as the Sox keep playing, Wright can keep trying.

“There’s no drop-dead date at this point,’’ manager John Farrell said.

Wright could need to face hitters in a game or two, but that would be possible in the Instructional League or via a simulated game. With the ALCS a best-of-seven series, having choices for the rotation could be crucial.

Because Wright throws a knuckleball and doesn’t require the same arm strength as a conventional pitcher, he could make a more rapid return.

“Nothing is a given at this point. We don’t want to take anything for granted with Steven and his health,’’ Farrell said. “The fact is the pitch that he throws, it gives you more of a possibility.’’

Wright was injured on Aug. 7 when he was used as pinch runner in a game against the Dodgers and jammed his shoulder diving back to second base.

He landed on the disabled list and did not return until Aug. 26. He made two starts and pitched poorly, giving up nine runs on 14 hits and six walks over 10 innings.

Wright acknowledged pitching in pain and was shut down for two weeks. The Sox sent him to Florida on Monday to start a more involved throwing program.

Wright is 13-6 with a 3.33 earned run average in 21 starts.

Ramirez gets a break

First baseman Hanley Ramirez did not play in a 5-1 victory Wednesday night against the Orioles to rest a few ailments. He has a sore left shoulder and on Tuesday fouled a ball off his left foot.

“The back of his shoulder is nagging him,’’ Farrell said. “Felt like [Wednesday] was a day to get him off the field.’’

Dustin Pedroia missed Tuesday’s game to get treatment on his sore left knee. He returned to the lineup Wednesday and in the first inning showed range to backhand a ball. He was 0 for 5 and is 2 for his last 20.

“This is a situation we fully expect him to manage throughout the remainder of the season,’’ Farrell said.

Slumping Sandy

Sandy Leon was 0 for 4 and is in a 2-for-28 skid. He has one extra-base hit and one RBI in his last eight games. The slump dropped his OPS from .967 to .877.

Leon hit .187 over four years and 235 plate appearances prior to this season, so regression was inevitable.

Farrell is keeping that in mind.

“He’s chasing some pitches. He’s elevating out of the [strike] zone,’’ the manager said. “He’s doing an outstanding job running the game. The innings he’s logging, could it show up offensively? Maybe a little bit, I know he’s in a little bit of a dry spell here.

“But what he’s doing leading our pitching staff through this stretch far outweighs his offense. He’s still good [defensively]. You look at the way he’s blocking the ball. You would think if fatigue was really becoming an issue he wouldn’t be blocking the ball or receiving as efficiently.’’

Scott making a pitch

Rookie lefthander Robby Scott started the ninth inning and struck out lefty-hitting Chris Davis on three pitches.

“That was an important at-bat for him; an important at-bat for us to get an idea of what a situational lefthander may look like,’’ Farrell said. “To put him in that spot against one of the better lefthanded hitters, power hitters, in our league, he fared very well. He couldn’t have handled it any better.’’

Scott has appeared in three of last seven games and Fernando Abad one.

Betts feasting

Mookie Betts was 2 for 3 and is 18 of 34 (.529) in nine games at Camden Yards this season with 17 runs, 15 RBIs, and 7 walks . . . Opposing hitters are 5 of 54 (.093) with 28 strikeouts against Craig Kimbrel since he came off the disabled list on Aug. 1 . . . The Sox have won 16 of 23 on the road, including seven of the last eight . . . Yoan Moncada hasn’t played since Sept 12 and isn’t likely to play any time soon unless it’s in a lopsided game or in an emergency. “Winning is the precedent right now. Development is secondary,’’ Farrell said. Moncada is scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League and will report there a few days after the regular season ends on Oct. 2 . . . The Orioles have been oddly hesitant to confirm it, but the team apparently does plan to have a pregame ceremony to honor David Ortiz on Thursday.