TORONTO -- Just two years earlier, Marco Scutaro found himself in a similar place to where he landed Tuesday night.

Starting shortstop on the Rogers Centre turf, producing at a high level while still uncertain of what the future had in store for him.

That was 2009, when Scutaro was riding out his final season as a Blue Jay, awaiting the riches that came with hitting the offseason as the most coveted free agent shortstop on the market.

This was game No. 242 as a member of the Red Sox, and again Scutaro was standing in front of the Rogers SportsNet microphones as a prestigious player thanks to the 10th four-hit game of his career, and staring at a future that could once again involve the open market.

Same scenarios. Different player.

"That year my swing and my timing was more consistent," Scutaro said of '09. "This year has been more up and down. It's been weird. I started slow, kind of found my swing and then I got hot. But I was just more consistent that year."

The Blue Jays let Scutaro go after that '09 season, in which he was among the American League's best fielders for much of the year while finishing with a .282 batting average and 100 runs. The reasoning was because the shortstop was a Type A free agent, and a cheaper alternative in Alex Gonzalez had come along.

What it meant for Scutaro was the opportunity to sign a two-year, $12.5 million contract with the Red Sox with both a club option ($6 million) and player option ($3 million) for '12.

Now, even with offensive numbers averaging out close to his campaign of two seasons ago, Scutaro finds himself without the security he thought that '09 season might bring him. In large part because of injuries, the 35-year-old has been in and out of the lineup and is on the verge of not even classifying as a Type A free agent.

He has been well of late -- .359 in his last 10 games with a .903 OPS -- and is up to .282 on the season. But is it good enough for both a permanent spot on a World Series-contending team and another opportunity to be called a starter next season?

"I don't know. We're just going to have to see how things play out," Scutaro said of his intentions after this season. "We'll see how the year ends, and hopefully after we win the World Series I'll sit back and talk to my agent.

"I just want to see what [the Red Sox'] ideas are, which way they're going to go. I just want to know what's going on with them. If I'm going to play every day, be utility. I just want to know what's up.

"I would probably look for something outside and see what's going on. If I don't have any options as a starter and if everybody wants me as a utility player I would think I would stay here. Who knows? Let's see."

While it wouldn't be seem likely the Red Sox would pick up Scutaro's team option, especially if he hits Type A status, the scenario of the shortstop returning under the player option is a plausible one if no other starting jobs seem likely.

It wouldn't appear to be the worst thing in the world for the Red Sox.

Prospect Jose Iglesias is trending right now toward starting next season in the minor leagues after struggling with Triple-A pitching and having his development stunted by injuries. And while Jed Lowrie has proven to be a major league-caliber hitter, the team likely would want to see him play consistently under the rigors that come with the starting shortstop job.

And Scutaro has proven, especially of late, that if healthy he can be a productive, and valued, part of a lineup. This has been evidenced ever since he returned from an oblique injury after a month off. Going back to June 7, the infielder has hit .295 with a respectable .766 OPS. (His OPS in '09 was .789.)

According to Scutaro, health holds the key to all of the answers.

"I'm feeling good compared to last year. I feel healthier," he said. "I just want to feel like I can compete. It's not like I'm going to go out and hit 40 or 50 homers, that's not my game. I just want to feel like I can compete, like I have a chance."

When weighing the merits of having Scutaro live the life of an everyday player, physical ability may serve as the be-all, end-all.

This is the second straight season his production has been sapped by physical issues, with the inflammation of his right rotator cuff serving as the chief culprit.

Scutaro has been able to manage the ailment much more effectively than last season, but the lingering effects sometimes are noticeable. For instance, while he has been spraying balls over Rogers Centre the last two games, there also have been the uncomfortable images of the 10-year big league veteran bouncing throws from the hole between third base and shortstop.

"It feels OK. Not bad," he said of the shoulder. "Right now it's probably a little tired from playing. Earlier in the year I had the strength back. Now it's a little tired because of all the diving and throwing, which is normal."

Helping stem the tide until the strength returns to Scutaro's shoulder is his newfound confidence at the plate. Since that return from the disabled list, offensively he has been the player the Sox were hoping for.

As Tuesday night suggested, for right now that is good enough. And for for Scutaro, right now is all that matters.

"It was a good day. Finally I’m finding some holes, I think," he said. "I’ve been hitting the ball good for like three weeks, but everything I hit is either right at people or they make diving plays, or stuff like that. It’s nice to have a day like this. It’s always nice."