Hideki Okajima has been placed on the disabled list with a calf strain, and will be replaced by Felix Doubront, who has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Okajima mentioned some discomfort after another ineffective outing Thursday night, apparently prompting the move.
Doubront, after several successful starts in the majors, was recently converted to a reliever for Pawtucket in anticipation of a September call-up. He'll get the opportunity even sooner now, thanks to Okajima's injury.
This is Doubront's first experience as a reliever during his professional career. So far, he has only made one appearance out of the pen, pitching two scoreless innings on August 3, striking out two while allowing only one hit to the Durham Bulls.
For all things Red Sox, visit Over The Monster.