The Boston Red Sox have officially announced their trade with the San Diego Padres to bring back catcher Doug Mirabelli. ESPN, which reported the trade and will televise tonight's game against the Yankees nationally, says that Mirabelli will be in the lineup to catch Tim Wakefield.

Boston has dealt Josh Bard, the back-up catcher who has struggled to handle Wakefield's knuckleballs so far; Triple-A relief pitcher Cla Meredith; and either a player to be named later or cash.

The Red Sox traded Mirabelli, who had been Wakefield's personal catcher, to San Diego in the offseason for second baseman Mark Loretta. Mirabelli, 35, was hitting .182 in 14 games with the Padres.

Bard, 28, came to the Sox as part of the Coco Crisp trade with the Cleveland Indians. He hit .278 in 7 games, but allowed 10 passed balls catching Wakefield, including 4 in his last appearance, on Wednesday. Wakefield, meanwhile, has struggled to a 1-4 start.

Meredith, 22, was briefly called up to Boston last year. He has pitched 13.2 innings over eight games with Pawtucket, striking out 14 and walking 5 with a 5.27 E.R.A.