The Boston Red Sox have until Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. to bolster their bullpen to make a push for the playoffs.

WORCESTER — Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson called top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlin into his office Sunday, telling them “it’s that time of the year.” The MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. and Epperson had the two pitchers thinking they were being dealt.

After electing free agency last week, the 30-year-old backstop agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles' division rival.

Craig Breslow has maintained that the Red Sox will add at the trade deadline. If so, how could that look? To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Red Sox beat writer Jen McCaffrey hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Tuesday afternoon. Here are five key questions that were asked and answered during the chat.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora shared an update on injured relief pitcher Justin Slaten, who is progressing toward a return.

Boston Red Sox's Alex Cora cautioned his team against trusting trade deadline rumors, claiming some ESPN personnel 'made s--- up' during his time at the network.

Watch the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) vs. Worcester Red Sox (BOS) on MLB and MiLB platforms at 12:05 p.m. ET Wednesday, July 30

The Boston Red Sox announced Aroldis Chapman news after leaving Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.