Daniel Bard has been placed on the disabled list at Double-A Portland with a strained abdominal muscle.
Bard has posted a rough 6.39 ERA with 17 walks and six strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings this season for Portland. He is expected to be shut down for about two weeks.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thursday that the club isn't considering shutting Daniel Bard down or sending him to extended spring training.
He also said that Bard is healthy, though he continues to be in touch with team psychologist Bob Tewksbury. The 27-year-old right-hander has been a complete mess since being optioned to Double-A at the end of April, walking 12 batters in three innings. The Red Sox want him to pitch through it, but they might have to make some changes if he doesn't make progress soon.

Daniel Bard walked five batters and threw two wild pitches in his latest appearance Wednesday at Double-A.
Bard seems to have completely lost it. He was optioned to Double-A Portland at the end of April and has now walked 17 batters in 12 2/3 total innings with the Sea Dogs. The Red Sox are not going to give him another try until he figures out his command issues on the farm.

Red Sox optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Double-A Portland.
Bard will be sent down as the corresponding move for Joel Hanrahan's return from the disabled list. He made two appearances with the Red Sox and should be back up later this season.

Red Sox recalled RHP Daniel Bard from Double-A Portland.
Bard has compiled an underwhelming 4.00 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio in nine innings over eight appearances this season, bu the Red Sox need a fresh arm for their bullpen. He may only be on the roster until John Lackey or Craig Breslow return from the disabled list.

The Red Sox will recall Daniel Bard prior to Wednesday's game.
Bard has put up an uninspiring 4.50 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio over eight innings this season at Double-A, but the Sox evidently feel he can help out. He'll be used in low-leverage situations for the time being.

Red Sox optioned RHP Daniel Bard to Double-A Portland.
The move means that Clayton Mortensen has won the final bullpen spot. Bard had some ups and downs this spring, but ultimately finished with a 6.75 ERA and 10/4 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings. The Red Sox are hoping that the move to Double-A will put him on the road back to being a useful reliever.

Daniel Bard surrendered three runs in his inning out of the pen Wednesday against the Marlins.
Bard was destined for Triple-A when the spring began, but with injuries opening up two spots in the pen, the door opened for him to make the team. Now it's likely slammed shut again. Bard had some nice outings earlier this month, but he's given up seven runs -- six earned -- in his last three appearances.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington indicated Thursday that Daniel Bard might open the season with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Bard had a streak of five straight scoreless get snapped Tuesday when he allowed three runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batsman over one inning against the Orioles. Cherington is happy with his progress, but added that he's "probably not all way to where he wants to be."

Daniel Bard surrendered his first three runs of the spring Tuesday against the Orioles.
With Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales both DL bound, the door is slightly ajar for Bard to win a bullpen spot. This won't help, though. Even if he does make the team out of spring training, odds are that he'll be sent down in mid-April.

Rather than have him work an inning in Friday's game as originally planned, the Red Sox opted to have Daniel Bard work on his delivery with pitching coach Juan Nieves in a non-game situation.
He'll work with Nieves on Saturday in an effort to make his lower half stronger, and give him more direction in his stride. Bard will then take Sunday off and will return to game action on Monday. Whether he reclaims his former glory or not, Bard offers very little appeal in fantasy leagues, as he's the third option for saves in the Red Sox bullpen.

Daniel Bard struck out the side in his inning of work against Northeastern on Thursday.
Bard reportedly touched 94 mph, which is pretty encouraging for his first outing of the spring. He did allow a single to the first batter he faced before striking out three in a row. Since Bard has options left and the Red Sox pen is very crowded, he needs to turn in a very impressive spring in order to avoid a trip to Pawtucket to start the year.

Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard left a positive impression with manager John Farrell after throwing live batting practice on Saturday.
Coming off a dreadful 2012 season, Bard has worked hard over the offseason to correct some mechanical flaws in his delivery. Farrell noted on Saturday that his mechanics are back to the form he displayed during his impressive 2010 season. Even with a return to form however, Bard doesn't offer much fantasy value as he's at best the third option for saves in the Red Sox bullpen.

Red Sox manager John Farrell watched Daniel Bard throw last weekend and said the righty is throwing with "power" again and that he's back to his "normal" arm slot.
After an attempt last season to convert to a starter proved disastrous, Bard will be back in the bullpen in 2013 where he belongs. He posted a 2.88 ERA and 9.7 K/9 rate out of the pen from 2009-11 and stands a good chance at a bounce-back year this season. Bard will at least start out pitching the middle innings in what should be a dynamic Red Sox bullpen.

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.