ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Dave Dombrowski will return home to Boston after Sunday’s game and watch his son play some baseball games while mulling tough moves he’ll need to make for the Red Sox roster.

While Dombrowski spoke in generalities in his final meeting with the media before the All-Star break, he did say definitively that the Red Sox were not going to engage in the pitching market. Dombrowski cited the improvement in David Price and the return of Eduardo Rodriguez as reasons why he believes the Red Sox will be OK on the starting pitching front.

There’s no doubt his pitching moves have paid off well with Chris Sale, Drew Pomeranz, and Craig Kimbrel playing huge roles in the team’s climb to first place in the AL East. He was also very aware the team has clicked with the current third base platoon of Tzu Wei-Lin — as threeTaiwanese TV crews peppered him with questions concerning Lin’s future with the Sox — and Deven Marrero.

“You always have some of that thought on your mind when a club is clicking together and winning together, but there are decisions that you have to make and need to make,’’ said Dombrowski. “You always look at everything. The young guys who have come up, I tip my cap to them, they’ve done very well.’’

Dombrowski is preparing for upcoming decisions; Pablo Sandoval needs to return by July 16, ending his 20-day rehab assignment, and Brock Holt has to come off his rehab assignment four days after that. While he doesn’t have to break up the Lin/Marrero platoon right away (he can send Sam Travis down to Pawtucket when Sandoval is ready), he will have to deal with that when Holt returns.

Another option would be to designate Sandoval for assignment, a subject Dombrowski would not address. Eating the remaining $50 million or so of Sandoval’s contract is above Dombrowski’s pay grade. He could recommend it, but that would have to be an ownership decision. Whether he’s already done that or not is anyone’s guess. But while Dombrowski heaps praise on Lin and Marrero, he also knows the facts of life concerning long-term contracts and what they mean to a roster.

“The unfortunate part is that you reach the point where you have to make a decision because of time frames that are involved,’’ Dombrowski said. “You’ve got disabled list reinstatements that can’t be stretched, you’re forced to make a decision. These guys have done a tremendous job for us. They’ve played very well for us to this point, but you’re forced to make decisions based on time frames.’’

On the other hand Dombrowski warns of “taking things for granted’’ and not helping the team when the opportunity arises. There are plenty of ways to help your team — from acquiring a third baseman such as Martin Prado or Todd Frazier to dealing for a reliever such as Pat Neshek or Joaquin Benoit.

Dombrowski reiterated that Lin and Marrero have “stabilized the position and provided some help for us, but you’re always cognizant of trying to help your club anyway you can.

“I just don’t want to single that spot out, but I am a believer that if you’re going to do anything to help your club, you need to do it by the 31st of July because after that you don’t have control of your own destiny,’’ he said. “Sometimes guys get through waivers but we’re not at the top of that waiver claim process. If you’re going to do something you need to do it before that date.’’

Dombrowski is sensing that most teams “are waiting for the last week.’’ And he said it’s always tricky trying to identify what your team needs and whether you should do anything at all.

“I’ve been in all situations at this point in my career,’’ Dombrowski said. “If you’re playing well that’s good. We’re second in batting average but not in runs scored, but we’ve been scoring more runs of late, we’re second in earned run average. Our defense, which wasn’t good early in the season, is very good lately. I read where we’re the first- or second-ranked team defensively in MLB since the middle of May.’’

The bullpen could be an area to improve. In a perfect world, Carson Smith would play a role, but there’s uncertainty about his return.

Dombrowski cited the superb seasons of Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, and Kimbrel, plus the unexpected contribution of Blaine Boyer. He also said Doug Fister, who will get a start in next Sunday’s doubleheader against the Yankees, will then slip into the bullpen to give the Sox a long man.

All things considered, Dombrowski is pleased by how things have unfolded in the first half.

“I think we’ve come together as a club,’’ he said. “We’ve played much better the last six weeks. We put ourselves in position where we control our own destiny which is always a good thing. As we’ve gotten healthier and have a chance to get even healthier, our overall performance from pitching to offense to defense, has gotten better.’’

Dombrowski was also asked about evaluating John Farrell’s performance and politely indicated “I’m not in a position to evaluate a manager publicly.’’ But he did offer that Farrell has done a good job with the team, has brought along young players, and has worked well with the front office.

In the end, Dombrowski will likely do something at the trade deadline. It’s simply in his DNA but he will likely not give away what remains of the top prospects on the farm. He did that for Sale, Pomeranz, and Kimbrel. Those deals have the Red Sox in first place, but he’s been around long enough to know, sometimes you just leave it alone.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo.