Showalter excited to have O'Day back in bullpen

BOSTON -- Buck Showalter made sure a locker was cleared for right-hander Darren O'Day on Wednesday. The manager seemed pretty excited to have his setup man back.

O'Day, who has pitched just twice this month due to tingling and numbness in the fingers of his pitching hand, was due to return to the team before Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. Showalter expected him to be available.

"We wouldn't bring him if we didn't think he was an option for us," Showalter said. "Today he feels good, good enough to pitch. He's coming. It's pretty simple this time of year, yes or no."

O'Day has posted his second consecutive impressive season, posting an identical 2.28 ERA while striking out nearly a batter per inning. And if the rest of this series is as close as Tuesday's 3-2 win, O'Day could certainly be needed.

Tommy Hunter and Brian Matusz combined to pitch the eighth inning of Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox.