Some 16 seasons after Olerud went right from Washington State fame to the Toronto Blue Jays, he officially joined the Red Sox, his fifth Major League team. This, after the club purchased his contract from Triple-A Pawtucket following Thursday night's loss in Toronto.

Of course, the only reason the left-handed hitting and fielding first baseman needed to start out in the Minors this time around is because of offseason surgery on his left foot.

"I enjoyed it," Olerud said of his first taste of life in the Minors. "It was fine. Went to Norfolk and got some games in and everything went real well. So yeah, it worked out good."

That said, Olerud was happy to be back where he belongs. His first night back came against the Yankees' team he played for against the Sox in last year's American League Championship Series. In fact, after Olerud injured his foot in Game 3, the Yankees became the first team in Major League history to squander a 3-0 series lead in the postseason.

"It's a little strange, because I was over on the other side," said the 36-year-old Olerud. "This is a great series to be in. You want to be a part of this. It's nice to be here."

Now, the question is how much Olerud will play. Sox manager Terry Francona doesn't have a set formula, but Olerud is expected to provide help off the bench with both his bat and glove. He'll also spell Kevin Millar in the starting lineup on occasion.

"If I told you I had the exact formula set up, I'd be lying to you. I talked to Kev a couple times already the last couple days," said Francona. "I've talked to Olerud today. I'll just fall back on how I feel about things. I'll do the best I can every day, and I asked the players to do the same. There's going to be times when they may think they should be playing and they may not be in the lineup. That could happen. I just told them the truth. Part of the truth is I don't know the exact days they're going to play."

Olerud, who has been an everyday player his entire career, will have to adjust to less frequent playing time.

"Well, you know, I think you just go out and prepare yourself the best that you can. You try and get yourself ready and get prepared for being in whatever situation you might be called on to be in," said Olerud, a career .295 hitter who has 2,189 hits and 248 homers.

Red Sox Coverage

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May 28 coverage: Record rout gets Sox off Matt Boston gets jump on riva Notes: Renteria not coming up short   May 27 coverage: Red Sox deep-sixed in New York Stranded in the Bronx Notes: Olerud enjoyed Minor stay   More preview coverage: Red Sox in New York state of mind Red Sox-Yankees quick hits Red Sox braving bumpy road New landscape for powerhouses Yankees, Red Sox battle on FOX

Yankees Coverage

• Mussina, Yankees unable to stop Sox
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May 28 coverage: Pavano, Yanks struggle in big loss Boston gets jump on riva Notes: Torre saves big three in bullpen   May 27 coverage: Yanks ride Cano, Sheff to victory Mo gets the job done once again Best of times, worst of times in Bronx Notes: Rivera ready for Red Sox   More preview coverage: Yanks, Red Sox ready for Round 3 Red Sox-Yankees quick hits For Yanks, a strange trip so far New landscape for powerhouses Yankees, Red Sox battle on FOX

Season Series

• 05/29: Red Sox 7, Yankees 2
• 05/28: Red Sox 17, Yankees 1
• 05/27: Yankees 6, Red Sox 3

• 04/14: Red Sox 8, Yankees 5
• 04/13: Yankees 5, Red Sox 2
• 04/11: Red Sox 8, Yankees 1

• 04/06: Red Sox 7, Yankees 3
• 04/05: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3
• 04/03: Yankees 9, Red Sox 2

Shoppach likely on Sunday: Aside from activating Olerud, the Sox also promoted top catching prospect Kelly Shoppach from Triple-A Pawtucket following Thursday's game. The call would have come a week ago when Doug Mirabelli first went on the disabled list had Shoppach not been hobbled by a sore foot.

Francona said that Shoppach will likely make his Major League debut on Sunday night, when the Sox go against Mike Mussina. Shoppach will catch David Wells in that one. Jason Varitek has started the last 10 games, not being able to get a break with Mirabelli out of the mix.

"He's done everything to this point in the Minor Leagues where he deserves to be here," Francona said. "This is his second year in Triple-A. We didn't get to see him that much in spring because he hurt his foot. They say he's really done a great job, catching and throwing, about as good as anybody. Offensively, he's putting it together. So it'll be fun watching him play."

Shoppach is having a solid year at Pawtucket, hitting .270 with 11 homers and 27 RBIs. The 25-year-old was selected by Boston with the 48th overall pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

"It's just kind of really a humbling experience," said Shoppach. "It's been a long time to get an opportunity to be here. Now it's just a matter of taking advantage of the opportunity you have. Yeah, I'm anxious to get out there and perform and do the things that I can do."

Millar focuses on team: Millar was in his typical jovial mood before the game, bantering with reporters and not looking like a man who is looking over his shoulder with the addition of Olerud.

Kevin Millar  /   1B
		Born: 09/24/71 Height: 6'0" Weight: 210 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Millar knows that the onus is on him to start hitting the way he can so that he'll stay in the everyday lineup. He entered the night hitting .244 with two homers and 22 RBIs.

"Obviously, I love to play every day," said Millar. "I'm going to fight my way offensively to make that happen. Obviously, I'm not swinging the bat the way I'm capable of. This is one of the reasons that these changes get made. But the big thing is we're here to win. It's not about me. It's about the Red Sox. I know that, and I know that obviously the way I've swung the bat, this is what happens in the big boy's business. But I'm working hard to find my swing. It was the same type of situation last year. This is what happens."

He also indicated that Olerud is a player he's excited to learn from.

"I'm a fan of John Olerud," said Millar. "I used to love watching him before I was in the big leagues. I'm going to learn from him. I'm going to pick his brain. That's what it's about."

On deck: Right-hander Matt Clement faces the Yankees for the second time this season in Saturday's nationally televised FOX Saturday Game of the Week. Clement (5-0, 3.34 ERA) has been one of Boston's best pitchers this season. He will be opposed by righty Carl Pavano (4-2, 3.69 ERA). Clement and Pavano also hooked up on April 5, with both pitchers taking no-decisions in a game Derek Jeter won with a walk-off homer off Keith Foulke.