BOSTON -- The Red Sox are awaiting word from pitcher Rich Hill on whether he will elect to have surgery on his left elbow after the Red Sox medical staff outlined options to him following an MRI Wednesday night, according to a baseball source.

A club official said late Thursday night that an announcement would not be immediately forthcoming from the club. Hill may withhold a decision until after he seeks a second opinion.

Hill sustained the injury Wednesday night while pitching to Adam Dunn of the Chicago White Sox, immediately clutching his elbow after throwing ball four to Dunn, the only batter he faced.

"He said he felt something pop in there and just like a burning,'' catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "Hopefully, everything turns out OK but it's sort of scary when it's the elbow.''

That popping sound usually suggests a ligament tear, but the Red Sox have not yet released additional information.

Hill was the only left-hander in the Sox bullpen. He will be placed on the disabled list Friday, and his place is expected to be taken by a callup from Pawtucket, perhaps Felix Doubront. Franklin Morales, the left-hander acquired from Colorado, is on the DL with a forearm strain. Hideki Okajima is another possibility, even though he was outrighted to Pawtucket last month. A 40-man roster spot could be created if Matsuzaka is moved to the 60-day disabled list, as expected.