The reinforcements are beginning to trickle in.
The Red Sox officially activated both right-hander Clay Buchholz and infielder Jed Lowrie from the disabled list prior to their series finale in Oakland on Wednesday afternoon.
Buchholz, who was out with a strained left hamstring, will start against the Athletics. Lowrie will make his 2010 debut after a long recovery from a case of mononucleosis.
Buchholz enters the start 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA. Lowrie went 11-for-30 (.367) in 10 rehab games split between Pawtucket and Single-A Lowell.
To make room on the roster for the pair of homegrown talents, the Sox have optioned lefty reliever Dustin Richardson to Triple-A Pawtucket and designated first baseman Ryan Shealy for assignment.
Richardson recorded a big strikeout in Boston's 5-4 loss to Oakland on Tuesday. He had a 2.57 ERA in 13 games with the Sox. Shealy was 0-for-7 in five games since being brought up earlier in the month.
