Red Sox vs. Yankees notes: Alex Wilson excited for opportunity, Shane Victorino arrives in Boston

BOSTON -- While his latest stint with the major league squad isn't expected to last very long, reliever Alex Wilson is excited for the opportunity to return to the big leagues and make an impression on the  coaching staff. Wilson threw 27.2 innings over 26 games last season while posting a 4.88 ERA and a 1.735 WHIP. In eight games for Pawtucket this season Wilson has yet to allow a run, throwing eight innings of four-hit baseball, striking out nine while walking five.

"I'm throwing the ball pretty well," Wilson said. "I'm pretty comfortable. I'm in a good spot right now. It's always great to come back and be the first guy called up this year, it feels good."

Farrell added that the decision to bring up Wilson stemmed from the burned out bullpen, which has had to provide 14.1 innings over the last three games.

"Hopefully we get through tonight in good shape and our bullpen gets back to normal rest," Farrell said. "We typically don't like to carry an eight-man bullpen so we'd like to get back to thirteen position players if we can."

The decision to bring up Wilson over starting pitcher Allen Webster stemmed from the team's desire to not mess with Webster's starting routine.

"Didn't want to disrupt Webster's starting rotation work there," Farrell said. "We felt like that a two inning reliever is what we needed and that's what Wilson's done. Familiarity of role. That's why Alex is here."

Wilson is grateful for the opportunity to play for the big squad.

"Just keep working every day," Wilson said. "In the long haul, I'm still playing baseball as my job so I'm glad to be doing and I'm glad to be here.

Bradley likely in centerfield moving forward

When asked pre-game about Jackie Bradley Jr., John Farrell implied that the outfielder would likely be the team's center fielder moving forward, meaning that Grady Sizemore would be playing a corner outfield position.

"When you look at the number of plays that a typical position is going to field, center field is still going to be the primary one and we want to greatest range in centerfield," Farrell said.

Farrell believes that there is still room for improvement for Bradley in center.

"He'll definitely improve," Farrell said. "That's a point of emphasis that continues to be stressed. He's got very good arm strength, but it can be a little erratic at times. Something that he's aware of and something that we continue to address with him. I think he's an above average center fielder with the potential to impact every game he plays defensively."

Victorino gets day off from rehab

Outfielder Shane Victorino was spotted in the Red Sox clubhouse pre-game. Victorino, who is expected to be activated from the disabled list in the next couple of days, has a scheduled day off from his rehab according to Farrell.

"Part of the plan was to have today be an off day and we weren't going to adjust if he wasn't active here," Farrell said. "He'll go through the pre-game work today with us."

Farrell would not commit to whether the team would activate Victorino for tomorrow's game.