Josh Reddick’s stay in the minor leagues may be over for a while.

The Boston Red Sox optioned Reddick to Triple-A on Tuesday but have since summoned him back to the big league club in New York, where the Sox began a four-game series with the New York Yankees on Thursday night. Outfielder Rocco Baldelli was placed on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Reddick.

Reddick entered Thursday night's game against the Yankees in the bottom of the seventh inning, taking over in left field for Kevin Youkilis. Youkilis, who plays third and first base, started in left field. 

The Red Sox sent the former South Effingham High School star down to Pawtucket instead of returning to Double-A Portland, where Reddick had played until getting called up last Friday.

The Red Sox called up left-hander Billy Traber after using every one of their relievers in a 13-inning, 4-2 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. With Brad Penny and John Smoltz — each averaging less than 5 2/3 innings per start — starting Wednesday and Thursday nights for the Sox, Boston summoned relief help.

Reddick played in four games and started in three, playing both left field and right field. The 22-year-old went 5-for-16, a .313 average, with one home run and two RBIs. He also hit three doubles and finished his first big-league stint with an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.041.

Reddick was 1-for-5 in Tuesday’s game with a double and four strikeouts.
Major league teams can expand their playing rosters to 40 on Sept. 1, and Reddick remains on the Red Sox 40-man roster.