When Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Albers went on the disabled list with a lat problem, it caught everyone by surprise. He wasn’t going to need the full 15 days on the DL but at that time, the Red Sox needed arms in the bullpen so they put him on the disabled list.

Matt Albers #32 of the Boston Red Sox pitches against the Texas Rangers on Opening Day at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on April 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. Share this pageBut now that he’s eligible to come off, the Red Sox have activated Albers from the 15-day DL before tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. To make room for him, the Red Sox have optioned Alfredo Aceves to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Before going on the DL, Albers had pitched in two games, allowing no hits, two walks and three strikeouts over two innings of work. Aceves made six appearances for the Red Sox and had no record with a 2.25 ERA. He allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts in eight innings of work.

Photo credit: Getty Images