Boston’s Manny Ramirez acknowledges the fans after hitting his 500th career home run in the seventh inning last night at Baltimore.

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AP / Steve Ruark

BALITMORE — Pitcher Clay Buchholz was reinstated from the disabled list yesterday and optioned to Pawtucket.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona made the announcement yesterday afternoon. The Sox held a conference call with Buchholz, general manager Theo Epstein, Francona, pitching coach John Farrell and PawSox manager Ron Johnson to discuss the situation.

“We just want to make sure he understood what we’re trying to do,” said Francona. “We’re trying to take out the [element] of him concerning about the line score. He can go be consistent [in Pawtucket] and pound the strike zone with his fastball. He can work on his arm slot and things like that.”

Buchholz finished spring training strong and made the rotation out of camp. The Red Sox didn’t want him to think the reassignment to the PawSox was some kind of demotion. This will be a chance for the young right-hander to continue to hone his skills without any added pressure.

“There were some things that needed to be worked on,” said Francona. “This is probably the best opportunity to do it.”

One of the main things, according to Francona, was Buchholz’s ability to be consistent with his fastball.

“His off-speed stuff is probably as good as anybody’s in the game,” said the manager. “Again, some times you just need a little more time to finish up what you’re doing. We’ll continue to monitor it, because of how important he is to where we’re going.”

When the Red Sox signed veteran right-hander and former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon at the start of spring training, Buchholz said he thought something like this could happen at some point this season. With Colon having some success, this was a good time for Buchholz to continue his development at Triple A.

The owner of a no-hitter in only his second major-league start in 2007, Buchholz pitched for the PawSox in a rehab stint on Friday in Durham and allowed three runs in four innings of work with four walks and five strikeouts.

He was placed on the DL on May 14 (retro to May 13) with a torn fingernail on his right hand. He is 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA in eight starts for the Red Sox this season.

Dice-K not dwelling on his setback

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka met with the media yesterday afternoon and assured everyone he’s fine.

The right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a mild rotator-cuff strain. He was removed from his last start in the fifth inning last Tuesday in Seattle. While the Red Sox traveled here Thursday, Dice-K returned to Boston where he underwent an MRI Friday morning.

He rejoined the team here Friday night and was working out at Camden Yards yesterday. He admitted he wasn’t too concerned with his shoulder, but was glad to know everything is fine after the testing.

“I know everybody on the team is tired,” he said. “Even though I might feel OK, the club has told me to take this time and rest up and heal. Even though I appreciate the rest and protection I’m getting, I do feel bad I’m the only one getting rest at this time.”

Matsuzaka is 8-0 this season, but he doesn’t want to dwell on this setback too much.

“Dwelling on it won’t help me heal any faster,” he said. “It’s too bad that no matter how hard I work out right now, it won’t affect the outcome of the game. I’m going to treat this like a minicamp.”

Thursday’s game is a 6:05 p.m. start

Because Game One of the NBA Finals will be tipping off shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday night, the Red Sox have changed the starting time of their home game that evening, against the Rays, from 7:05 to 6:05 p.m.

Most baseball games last around three hours, so the Sox game should be over by the time the Celtics’ game begins.

“We have decided to start our game on Thursday one hour earlier in order that fans may enjoy not only Red Sox baseball but also Game One of the NBA Finals,” club president/CEO Larry Lucchino said in a statement released by the team early last night.

The Sox also have home games on the same days as Games Two, Three and Four. There should be no conflict for Game Two, on Sunday, June 8 — the Sox’ game against the Mariners is at 1:35 p.m., while the Celtics and Lakers again won’t play until 9 — but they will be facing the same situation for Games Three and Four. On both nights (Tuesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 12) they’re scheduled to play the Orioles at 7:05 at Fenway and the Celts and Lakers will play in Los Angeles at 9 Eastern time. It will be interesting to see if they switch the starting times of those games, as well.

The Sox are on the road when the Celtics are playing Games Five, Six and Seven, and thus will have no control over their starting times.

Around the bases

Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew was out of the lineup again last night as he continues to battle a bout of vertigo. Francona said Drew is still feeling a little dizzy. … Francona and Celtics head coach Doc Rivers are close friends, so the Sox manager thought it best to send along a congratulatory text message around 2 a.m. early yesterday morning. “I’m happy for him,” said Francona. “We’re going through the grind of our season, and he’s going through the special part. I like him — a lot. How do you not root for him?” … Francona will not manage the Red Sox today because he’ll be back in Boston for his daughter Leah’s graduation from Brookline (Mass.) High School.

Sports editor Art Martone contributed to this report.

jmcdonal@projo.com