Red Sox activate OF McDonald from 15-day DL; Option RHP Bard to Triple-A Pawtucket

The Boston Red Sox today activated OF Darnell McDonald from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Triple-A Pawtucket.  McDonald will be active for tonight’s game against the Orioles at Fenway Park.

The announcement was made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington. 

McDonald, 33, was placed on the disabled list on May 13 (retroactive to May 12) with a right oblique strain.  In six rehab games with the PawSox, he went 4-for-21 (.190) with three doubles, two RBI and two runs scored, appearing at all three outfield positions and as designated hitter.  McDonald has played in 26 games for the Red Sox this season, going 10-for-56 (.179) with four doubles, two homers, eight RBI, 12 runs, eight walks and a stolen base, with 15 games in left field (12 starts), four in right field (1 start), two in center field and an inning of relief in Boston’s 9-6 loss to Baltimore on May 6.  In 290 career Major League games with the Orioles (2004), Twins (2007), Reds (2009) and Red Sox (2010-12), McDonald has a .246 batting average (167-for-679) with 35 doubles, five triples, 19 homers, 77 RBI, 93 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

The 26-year-old Bard has made 11 appearances for the Red Sox this season, including the first 10 starts of his career, going 5-6 with a 5.24 ERA (32 ER/55.0 IP) and 34 strikeouts.  In 203 career Major League games, all with Boston, the right-hander owns a 10-19 record with five saves, a 3.39 ERA (95 ER/252.0 IP) and 247 strikeouts compared to 113 walks with just 184 hits allowed.