Red Sox and RHP Daniel Bard avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8625 million contract. The 27-year-old righty was arbitration eligible for the second time. He's coming off a horrifying 2012 season where he posted a 6.22 ERA and 1.74 WHIP over 59 1/3 innings, but will be shifted back to a familiar role in the bullpen where he should again thrive in a setup role.

Daniel Bard told WEEI's Rob Bradford that a lower back injury affected his drop in velocity last season.

Daniel Bard threw a simulated inning Tuesday and is likely to appear for the Red Sox again this season. Bard has been a disaster since returning to the Sox late last month, allowing nine runs while walking five over 3 1/3 innings. "Daniel threw an inning. Had a little blister, it looked like, when he came off. He needed [the work]," said manager Bobby Valentine. "He hasn't thrown in a little while." Once viewed as the team's closer of the future, Bard failed in his attempt to be a starter, and his future role with the club is very much up in the air.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have placed Daniel Bard, Mark Melancon and Clayton Mortensen on revocable waivers. As is the case with all players that land on waivers at this time of the year, a trade involving any of the trio is unlikely. Bard has allowed a run in both of his appearances since returning from Triple-A.

Red Sox recalled RHP Daniel Bard from Triple-A Pawtucket. Bard will rejoin the Boston bullpen on Thursday night in Anaheim after spending the past three months in the minor leagues. He's unlikely to carry any fantasy value.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington confirmed that Daniel Bard will rejoin the bullpen this season. Cherington didn't give a timetable, but said that Bard will be promoted, regardless of his performance. "He's going to be back before the year is over," Cherington said. "I think it's important to get him, assuming he's healthy. The role is something we can talk about in the offseason."

The Boston Herald's Scott Lauber reports Daniel Bard "definitely" will rejoin the Red Sox by September. Bard has been in the minors since early June, and won't be an option for the starting rotation. Considering he has more walks than strikeouts this season, the Red Sox don't figure to use him in high-leverage situations.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Daniel Bard is "getting close" to rejoining the team's bullpen. Bard really struggled initially at Triple-A Pawtucket but has pitched much better of late, putting up four straight scoreless appearances. When he does return, the Red Sox figure to first use him in low-leverage situations.

Daniel Bard has struggled in three straight relief appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket. Bard blew two straight saves last week and on Sunday walked three and threw a wild pitch over 1 2/3 frames. "He's just got to throw. He did a nice job for five out, you put that in perspective," PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler said. "Then he just kind of lost command. Hey, five is better than one or two or zero. We'll just keep building off that, keep throwing him out there. He's getting better." It doesn't appear that Bard is close to joining the Red Sox bullpen.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine confirmed Daniel Bard will be used in the bullpen when he returns. Bard has struggled this season, going 5-6 with a 5.24 ERA in 10 starts, and both parties came to the conclusion that he'll be brought back as a reliever. There is no current timetable for when Bard might return to the Red Sox. He has allowed seven earned runs in 8 1/3 innings with Triple-A Pawtucket.