Red Sox activate Victorino, place Swihart on DL; Bradley to Triple-A

The Boston Red Sox made a slew of moves Friday ahead of their series opener with the Houston Astros.

Outfielder Shane Victorino was activated from the disabled list for a second time this season after missing more than a month with a calf injury. The 34-year-old has been limited to 20 games, hitting .255/.379/.345 with one home run. The team plans to platoon Victorino in right field with Alejandro De Aza.

Catcher Blake Swihart was placed on the 15-day DL with a sprained left foot. The 23-year-old rookie suffered the injury June 20 and has been limited to just four of the last 11 games.

"With Blake, he had been playing with some pain as we know," manager John Farrell told reporters. "The injury that he suffered to that small left toe is obviously still there.

"The symptoms never really subsided to the point where the recommendation at the time with the number of days needed initially, we kind of took a shortcut initially to get him back in the lineup. But we're afforded the ability to give him so added rest right now.”

The move also buys the Red Sox some time to determine what to do with their catching situation. Ryan Hanigan returned from the DL Wednesday and Sandy Leon has carved a niche as Clay Buchholz's personal catcher.

The Red Sox also optioned outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. to Triple-A Pawtucket. In 14 games, the 25-year-old hit .133/.229/.233 with one home run and 10 strikeouts.