PAWTUCKET –– After a disappointing outing in which he had the dubious distinction of leading Triple-A in losses for much of the year, PawSox pitcher Kris Johnson has been sent down to Double-A Portland to finish out the season.

Johnson, 24, was Boston’s second pick in the 2006 draft, 40th overall, just behind Boston setup man Daniel Bard. He received an $850,000 signing bonus.

The Wichita State product throws in the low 90s with an effective curveball and changeup, and tried to add a cut fastball this season. He was ranked among the organization’s top 20 prospects by Baseball America entering this season.

But Johnson couldn’t put it together this year, and he was consistently hit hard by opponents.

Johnson had a 3-13 record with a 6.35 ERA and 65 strikeouts over the course of the season. He would often pile up high pitch counts and would be taken out by the fourth inning. He had seven wild pitches to go with his 44 walks in 96 innings.

When he did pitch well, he got negligible run support from the wretched Pawtucket offense.

Call-up surprises Woodward

When he got the call that he’d be joining the Boston Red Sox this month, veteran utilityman Chris Woodward was as surprised as everyone else. He had been placed on waivers by the Seattle Mariners several days before, the first time he’d ever been in that situation –– in which any team in the majors could claim him.

Woodward wasn’t sure exactly how it worked, but he got a quick education when his agent called and said to pack his bags for Boston. Woodward appeared in five games for the shortstop-poor Red Sox, going 0-for-4, and then the team placed him on waivers again, making room for newcomer Alex Gonzalez.

Woodward was prepared to be plucked up again and thrown to another organization –– “My bag was packed the whole time just in case,” he said –– but the 33-year-old cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket. He’d rather that another major-league team needed him, but he’s enjoyed his brief stint with the Sox organization.

“Obviously, it would have been pretty nice to go back to the big leagues, but this is a good organization to be in Triple-A with,” Woodward said.

Woodward played his first game with Pawtucket tonight, starting at shortstop. Ivan Ochoa was released to make room for Woodward

The chance to appear in the postseason for the second time in his career is driving Woodward, who hopes to be a September callup when rosters expand.

“It’s nice to be with an organization where you get called back up. Where you get a chance to go to the playoffs,” Woodward said.

With that in mind, Woodward plans to ask PawSox manager Ron Johnson to play him all over the diamond so he can be ready to fill in at most of the infield positions if needed in Boston.

Woodward owns a career .242 average, 33 home runs and 191 RBI in 10 major-league seasons.

Boston rehabbers

The train of rehabbing major-leaguers rolling through Pawtucket chugs on. Boston outfielder Rocco Baldelli returns to the lineup Thursday for what should be his final Pawtucket performance before coming off the disabled list. Boston catcher George Kottaras will be on the roster but is not expected to see the field. On Friday, Kottaras and Tim Wakefield will pair up at McCoy for a rehab start for the injured Boston knuckleball pitcher.

And on Aug. 3, Daisuke Matsuzaka will make a relief appearance at McCoy as he works his way back from shoulder weakness and generally erratic pitching.