Craig Kimbrel’s recovery on arthroscopic surgery on a torn meniscus has progressed so quickly, he was activated from the disabled list on Monday and joined the team in Seattle.
Right-hander Joe Kelly returned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the roster.
Three weeks after the knee injury, Kimbrel came through a rehab outing in Pawtucket on Saturday night without any discomfort. He threw 17 pitches against three batters and recorded only one out.
Kimbrel was 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA and 17 saves in 19 chances before he was injured on July 9.
With Koji Uehara (pectoral injured), Brad Ziegler had assumed the closer’s role in Kimbrel’s absence.
Kelly (9-6, 7.62) was used as a reliever in his latest stint with the Red Sox. He allowed a run and four hits in three appearances (3 2/3 innings) with one strikeout since returning July 25.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox still need to make another roster move to make room for newly acquired left-handed reliever Fernando Abad, traded from the Twins prior to the 4 p.m. deadline on Monday.