OAKLAND -- As expected, Justin Germano joined the Red Sox Wednesday, taking the roster spot of Clayton Mortensen, who was optioned to Pawtucket late Tuesday night.
Germano, like Aaron Cook earlier this season, had an opt-out clause (July 1), which helped forced the Red Sox hand.
"I think (the opt-out) helped,'' said Germano. "It definitely put a little bit of pressure on them. I just kind of wanted to see where they were at, and if they felt they had a place for me and if they didn't, (I would have had) to look elsewhere to see if there's a better opportunity for me.''
Germano started for Pawtucket and compiled a 9-4 mark with a 2.40 ERA in 17 games, all but one of them starts.
"He was the best pitcher on their staff down there,'' said Bobby Valentine, "giving six or seven innings every time he goes out. I guess I'll use him as a long man.''
"I've been extremely happy (with the way I've pitched),'' Germano said. "This game's all about being consistent and I've been able to string together 15-16 consistent starts. I've had a couple of rough ones, but I've been able to bounce back. All I really try to do is stay on that even plain.''
Germano last pitched Saturday, and is available to pitch Wednesday.
Boston Red Sox
"I assume I would be a bullpen option for now,'' he said. "We'll see what happens somewhere down the road. I've gotten accustomed to (pitching in relief) the last couple of years with Cleveland, so I think it will be easy to adapt back to that.''