After four starts with Triple-A Pawtucket, Joe Kelly will be returning to the Boston Red Sox to start on the mound Wednesday. The move was necessary because of the doubleheader that Boston played on Monday, forcing them to use two starters in the same day. 

Joe Kelly made 14 starts for the Red Sox before his subpar 5.67 ERA forced his demotion to Pawtucket. He made four starts there, compiling a 2.84 record with a win and a loss apiece. The transaction has not officially been made but Boston manager John Farrell announced the move on Tuesday.

With the recent struggles of the starting rotation, Farrell must hope that Kelly can pitch better than he was at the time of his demotion. Kelly has made just four quality starts this season and, after his spectacular season debut against the Yankees (7 innings, 1 hit, 1 run), Kelly has struggled mightily, lasting five innings or less in a whopping eight games. He went seven innings in just two starts. Stephen Wright, who pitched the nightcap of Monday's doubleheader, was optioned to Pawtucket to make room for Kelly on the roster. Kelly hasn't pitched for Boston since June 23.


Another transaction including the Red Sox was the activation of Daniel Nava from Pawtucket. Nava, who hasn't played since May 25, was on a lengthy rehab after his early-season struggles. Nava spent ten games with Pawtucket. While it was technically a rehab appearance, it was an excellent chance for Nava to work on his swing and offensive approach after he hit just .159 in the first two months of the season. He hit .250 with Pawtucket, smacking one home run.

It's tough to see where Nava will fit in with Hanley Ramirez, Mookie Betts, Shane Victorino, and Alejandro De Aza already manning the outfield with super utility man Brock Holt platooning at first, Nava's other position, with Mike Napoli. Holt also plays outfield. Nava may be used as a pinch-hitter against right-handed pitching. Nava, a switch hitter, is much better from the left side of the plate.

To make room for Nava on the roster, the Red Sox optioned slick-fielding shortstop prospect Devan Marrero to Pawtucket. Marrero appeared in five games, starting one. He had seven at-bats, collecting his first and, thus-far, only MLB hit on Monday in the day game of the double-header. He singled against the Los Angeles Angels. 

Other transactions during the week included the activation of Blake Swihart who had been rehabbing with Pawtucket and Double-A Portland. Swihart replaced backup catcher Sandy Leon who was designated for assignment. 

Boston's Double-A squad was also involved in several transactions. The Portland Sea Dogs saw their fourth reliever of the year promoted to Pawtucket. Robby Scott follows the footsteps of Dayan Diaz, Pat Light, and Jonathan Aro. Scott is a left-hander and made the Eastern League All-Star team. The Florida State graduate has a sparkling 2.06 ERA in 25 games with Portland. 

Sea Dogs catcher Jake Romanski was put on the 7-day disabled list and, to replace him, catcher Alixon Suarez was promoted from short-season Lowell to Double-A. He went 1-4 in his Portland debut. 

The Red Sox season continues tonight in Houston when a former Pawtucket pitcher, Brian Johnson, makes his major league debut.