Red Sox recalled RHP Daniel Bard from Double-A Portland.

Bard has compiled an underwhelming 4.00 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio in nine innings over eight appearances this season, bu the Red Sox need a fresh arm for their bullpen. He may only be on the roster until John Lackey or Craig Breslow return from the disabled list.

The Red Sox will recall Daniel Bard prior to Wednesday's game.

Bard has put up an uninspiring 4.50 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio over eight innings this season at Double-A, but the Sox evidently feel he can help out. He'll be used in low-leverage situations for the time being.

Red Sox optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Double-A Portland.

The move means that Clayton Mortensen has won the final bullpen spot. Bard had some ups and downs this spring, but ultimately finished with a 6.75 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings. The Red Sox are hoping that the move to Double-A will put him on the road back to being a useful reliever.

Daniel Bard surrendered three runs in his inning out of the pen Wednesday against the Marlins.

Bard was destined for Triple-A when the spring began, but with injuries opening up two spots in the pen, the door opened for him to make the team. Now it's likely slammed shut again. Bard had some nice outings earlier this month, but he's given up seven runs -- six earned -- in his last three appearances.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington indicated Thursday that Daniel Bard might open the season with Triple-A Pawtucket.

Bard had a streak of five straight scoreless get snapped Tuesday when he allowed three runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman over one inning against the Orioles. Cherington is happy with his progress, but added that he's "probably not all way to where he wants to be."

Daniel Bard surrendered his first three runs of the spring Tuesday against the Orioles.

With Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales both DL bound, the door is slightly ajar for Bard to win a bullpen spot. This won't help, though. Even if he does make the team out of spring training, odds are that he'll be sent down in mid-April.

Rather than have him work an inning in Friday's game as originally planned, the Red Sox opted to have Daniel Bard work on his delivery with pitching coach Juan Nieves in a non-game situation.

He'll work with Nieves on Saturday in an effort to make his lower half stronger, and give him more direction in his stride. Bard will then take Sunday off and will return to game action on Monday. Whether he reclaims his former glory or not, Bard offers very little appeal in fantasy leagues, as he's the third option for saves in the Red Sox bullpen.

Daniel Bard struck out the side in his inning of work against Northeastern on Thursday.

Bard reportedly touched 94 mph, which is pretty encouraging for his first outing of the spring. He did allow a single to the first batter he faced before striking out three in a row. Since Bard has options left and the Red Sox pen is very crowded, he needs to turn in a very impressive spring in order to avoid a trip to Pawtucket to start the year.

Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard left a positive impression with manager John Farrell after throwing live batting practice on Saturday.

Coming off a dreadful 2012 season, Bard has worked hard over the offseason to correct some mechanical flaws in his delivery. Farrell noted on Saturday that his mechanics are back to the form he displayed during his impressive 2010 season. Even with a return to form however, Bard doesn't offer much fantasy value as he's at best the third option for saves in the Red Sox bullpen.

Red Sox manager John Farrell watched Daniel Bard throw last weekend and said the righty is throwing with "power" again and that he's back to his "normal" arm slot.

After an attempt last season to convert to a starter proved disastrous, Bard will be back in the bullpen in 2013 where he belongs. He posted a 2.88 ERA and 9.7 K/9 rate out of the pen from 2009-11 and stands a good chance at a bounce-back year this season. Bard will at least start out pitching the middle innings in what should be a dynamic Red Sox bullpen.

Red Sox and RHP Daniel Bard avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8625 million contract.

The 27-year-old righty was arbitration eligible for the second time. He's coming off a horrifying 2012 season where he posted a 6.22 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 59 1/3 innings, but will be shifted back to a familiar role in the bullpen where he should again thrive in a setup role.

Daniel Bard told WEEI's Rob Bradford that a lower back injury affected his drop in velocity last season.

Daniel Bard threw a simulated inning Tuesday and is likely to appear for the Red Sox again this season.

Bard has been a disaster since returning to the Sox late last month, allowing nine runs while walking five over 3 1/3 innings. "Daniel threw an inning. Had a little blister, it looked like, when he came off. He needed [the work]," said manager Bobby Valentine. "He hasn't thrown in a little while." Once viewed as the team's closer of the future, Bard failed in his attempt to be a starter, and his future role with the club is very much up in the air.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have placed Daniel Bard, Mark Melancon and Clayton Mortensen on revocable waivers.

As is the case with all players that land on waivers at this time of the year, a trade involving any of the trio is unlikely. Bard has allowed a run in both of his appearances since returning from Triple-A.

Red Sox recalled RHP Daniel Bard from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Bard will rejoin the Boston bullpen on Thursday night in Anaheim after spending the past three months in the minor leagues. He's unlikely to carry any fantasy value.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington confirmed that Daniel Bard will rejoin the bullpen this season.

Cherington didn't give a timetable, but said that Bard will be promoted, regardless of his performance. "He's going to be back before the year is over," Cherington said. "I think it's important to get him, assuming he's healthy. The role is something we can talk about in the offseason."

The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber reports Daniel Bard "definitely" will rejoin the Red Sox by September.

Bard has been in the minors since early June, and won't be an option for the starting rotation. Considering he has more walks than strikeouts this season, the Red Sox don't figure to use him in high-leverage situations.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Daniel Bard is "getting close" to rejoining the team's bullpen.

Bard really struggled initially at Triple-A Pawtucket but has pitched much better of late, putting up four straight scoreless appearances. When he does return, the Red Sox figure to first use him in low-leverage situations.

Daniel Bard has struggled in three straight relief appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Bard blew two straight saves last week and on Sunday walked three and threw a wild pitch over 1 2/3 frames. "He's just got to throw. He did a nice job for five out, you put that in perspective," PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler said. "Then he just kind of lost command. Hey, five is better than one or two or zero. We'll just keep building off that, keep throwing him out there. He's getting better." It doesn't appear that Bard is close to joining the Red Sox bullpen.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine confirmed Daniel Bard will be used in the bullpen when he returns.

Bard has struggled this season, going 5-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 10 starts, and both parties came to the conclusion that he'll be brought back as a reliever. There is no current timetable for when Bard might return to the Red Sox. He has allowed seven earned runs in 8 1/3 innings with Triple-A Pawtucket.