With J.D. Drew still a couple of days away from returning from an injured right hamstring, the Red Sox have recalled outfielder Josh Reddick prior to Tuesday's series opener in Colorado, manager Terry Francona said.
To make room on the roster, right-handed reliever Robert Manuel was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Reddick is in the Sox' starting lineup Tuesday, batting eighth and playing right field.
Francona said that Drew may return by Thursday. He was hurt Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he made a running catch of a Manny Ramirez liner. An MRI conducted Saturday morning revealed no major damage and the team has said that Drew will not need to be placed on the disabled list.
Drew had homered in his only at bat of the game prior to the injury Friday night. He is hitting .276 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs in 65 games.
Reddick, 23, has been recalled for the third time this year. He is 3-for-17 (.176) with the big club, but recently emerged from a long slump for the PawSox.
After batting .210 in April and .181 in May, Reddick has posted a .342 (13-for-38) mark for Pawtucket this month.
Manuel, who was recalled Saturday, did not appear in a game for the Red Sox. He is 4-1 with a 0.98 ERA in 26 games for Pawtucket.
