HOUSTON -- A day after David Price exited his start in the first inning due to flu-like symptoms, the Red Sox summoned the electric left arm of Darwinzon Hernandez from Double-A Portland.

Hernandez, ranked No. 4 among Red Sox prospects by MLB Pipeline, would have started on Sunday for Portland. Instead, he was on hand to provide length for the Red Sox out of the bullpen.

With super-utility player Brock Holt expected to return from the injured list on Monday, Hernandez’s second trip to the Major Leagues could be just for one day. To make room for Hernandez on the roster, righty Colten Brewer was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

“Yeah, I mean it’s where we’re at,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The nature of the business. Brewer threw the ball well yesterday, but we need outs, we need arms, we need innings. Hopefully Eddie [Rodriguez] goes out there and dominates and we can go straight to our guys, but you have to be prepared.”

The 22-year-old Hernandez made his Major League debut for the Sox on April 23 against the Tigers and fired 2 1/3 scoreless innings. In seven appearances (six starts) for Portland, he went 1-3 with a 4.65 ERA while holding opponents to a .202 batting average. Control continues to be Hernandez’s biggest issue. He has 25 walks in 31 innings.

Chavis to move around

With Holt’s return all but set for Monday, it will give Cora the flexibility to move heavy-hitting infielder Michael Chavis around a little more. Chavis has been playing almost all of his games at second base, a position he didn’t learn until this season.

Cora said he would mix Chavis between first, second, third and designated hitter. Thus far, Chavis has started 27 games at second base, three at first base and once at third.

Price to slot in Tuesday or Wednesday

With Price’s start cut to 15 pitches on Saturday night, he could make his return to the rotation as early as Tuesday against the Indians.

“I think Tuesday or Wednesday,” Cora said. “We’ll see how he feels. I just talked to him. We’ll see how the day goes today and how he feels tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”

If Price makes his return on Wednesday, ace Chris Sale could be pushed back a day and open a four-game series at Yankee Stadium on Thursday.

“All depends on how we map it out for Cleveland,” Cora said. “Right now, we’ve got Cleveland.”