By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON _ Daniel Bard has been called a freak of nature. Now you can call the right-handed pitching prospect a major leaguer.

The Red Sox called up the 23-year-old reliever/closer from Pawtucket on Sunday and he was in uniform in the series finale against the Rays at Fenway Park. Bard was original selected as the Sox' second pick of the first round (28th overall) in the 2006 draft.

"It seems like the right time. He's been throwing really well. He's made some strides in the last stages of his development in recent weeks, so we felt like the time was right," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

This highly-touted prospect has been outstanding for the PawSox this season. He's 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 6 saves in 11 games. He has struck out 29 batters in 16 innings and can easily reach 100 MPH on the radar gun. He's been the closer for Pawtucket.

"Obviously I'm excited," he said. "I've been working for this my whole life. I couldn't be happier now that I'm here trying to help the team win."

To make room on the roster, the Red Sox designated lefty reliever Javier Lopez for assignment.

Bard was told of his promotion to the big leagues about 30 minutes after Pawtucket's game in Columbus on Saturday, PawSox manager Ron Johnson called Bard into his office. Once the pitcher walked through the door, he was told to come back in 20 minutes. So Bard went about his normal post-game routine of eating and showering before he went back to see "R.J." Again, the manger told him to leave and come back later.

"The third time he finally sat me down with Rich (Sauveur), our pitching coach, and they told me I was flying out in the morning. . . I necessarily expecting it this soon because the pitching staff has been doing well, and its a pretty full staff. It's a great opportunity and I feel like I'm ready to take it own."

Bard landed in Providence Sunday morning and went to McCoy Stadium to grab the rest of his gear before driving to Fenway Park.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he's excited to see Bard pitch at this level because during spring training the young righty impressed everyone. When camp broke, he was sent to Triple-A with the PawSox.

"He was impressive in spring," said Epstein. "He had some things left to work on in his development."

According to Epstein, those finishing touches Red Sox management wanted Bard to work on was the development of his breaking ball, the ability to command his stuff, hold his poise in certain situations and maintain the mechanical adjustments that were made a while back.

"He's done a good job," said Epstein.

His repertoire is quite impressive.

His well-talked about fastball has been clocked at 100 MPH on the radar gun, but mostly he's been between 92 and 99 for the PawSox this season. The average speed of his No. 1 pitch has been 95.

His slider is just plain filthy. The pitch started off a couple of years ago as a curveball, but he's tightened it up to a point now where it's strictly a slider. It comes out of his hand looking like a fastball up and out of the zone, but the sharp late break pulls it back in, leaving the hitter stunned. The best part of the slider is he consistently throws it for strikes.

He also has a changeup that he throws at 89 and 90 MPH, but he uses it sparingly.

Bard is the complete package on the mound.

"He throws really hard, but there have been a lot of guys who throw very hard," said Epstein. "That's not what will define his career; it's what he does with it."

Sunday night may have been Bard's debut, but his poise, both on and off the field, is more like a seasoned veteran.

"You can always learn things. I don't think I'm a finished product or anything, I still have a lot to learn and this is a good place to do it," said Bard.