Kevin Youkilis and other players on the Pawtucket Red Sox' bench greet Travis Denker (36) and Chris Carter (5) after they scored on Angel Chavez's second-inning double on Monday.

Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson

PAWTUCKET –– Kevin Youkilis has become one of the more consistent players for the Red Sox during his career.

During parts of three seasons, from 2003 to 2005, he honed his skills with the PawSox becoming an everyday player for the Red Sox in 2006. Youkilis returned to McCoy Stadium on Monday night for the first of a two-game rehab stint as he comes back from a stained oblique.

He played first base and went 0 for 2 with a walk from the leadoff spot in the order. He’s scheduled to DH for Pawtucket on Tuesday afternoon (12:05).

"I felt good. I was a little rusty, but I felt good," he said. "I’m just excited to get on the field again. It was good to get out there, get some at-bats and see the ball. It was good to have a guy [Buffalo starter Fernando Nieve] who had a little velocity, too. Hopefully [Tuesday] I can get some more at-bats and hopefully get comfortable each day playing."

He was able to test his lower left side defensively, too. In the top of the third inning he had to stretch awkwardly for a ball thrown by second baseman Travis Denker.

"That tweaked my whole entire body," said Youkilis. "It was just a funky throw to reach for real quick. After that, it went away. It wasn’t something that lingered."

Even though Youkilis would rather be in Boston, his career really took a turn for the best when he played for the PawSox. He had some good times here, but some trying ones, too.

He was a highly touted 24-year-old third baseman when he first arrived here on July 29, 2003, in the midst of an outstanding streak. It started at Double-A Portland, where he had reached base safely in 62 consecutive games. It continued here for another nine games with the PawSox until the streak of 71 games was snapped on Aug. 5. That mark matched a pro baseball record also held by Kevin Millar.

After Youkilis took batting practice Monday afternoon, he reminisced about that game.

"Josh Towers was pitching and Ken Huckaby was catching for the [Syracuse] Sky Chiefs. I worked the count full [in my fourth and final at-bat]," Youkilis recalled.

He struck out looking.

"It was a ball," he said.

Either way, it was an impressive streak. He also learned a lot during it.

"That was my first glimpse of people on me every day," he said. "That streak was great. There were a lot of people talking to me about that every day. That was the first time I really dealt with the media and dealing with people every day. … At the major-league level you have to do something every day, whether you like it or not, there are going to be a lot of people in front of your locker, especially if you’re doing good, and they’re going to be at your locker if you’re not doing good. So it helped. It’s Boston, and that’s how it is."

Youkilis also learned how to deal with disappointment.

Because he had options remaining, he was continually sent back and forth between Pawtucket and Boston in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Even though he played 72 games for the world champions in 2004 and made the Opening Day roster in 2005, he was optioned to Pawtucket for the first of four times on April 13, when the Red Sox activated Curt Schilling from the disabled list.

In retrospect, the 2005 season was a learning experience for him, but at the time it was very frustrating. His emotions got the best of him, but now he understands the Red Sox’ philosophy. When he sees younger players going through a similar situation, he has some advice for them.

"You feel like you deserve to be in the major leagues," he said. "Every time I was sent down, it seemed like it was after a game when I had a good game and we won the game. It’s an emotional thing, because you’re at a high with your team and then you get sent down. I tell these guys, ‘Be upset, but once you’re back in this clubhouse you have to be all business, and you have to give [management] every reason to call you up.’ "

Youkilis became the first of the latest generation of homegrown talent to work his way through the Red Sox organization and become a fixture in Boston. He was back here in Pawtucket on Monday, once again trying to get back to Boston –– this time from injury.

"I haven’t had too many injuries. I had injuries I played through, whereas this one I couldn’t play through. For me it’s frustrating not being able to play baseball."

He was originally scheduled to serve as the PawSox’ designated hitter in his first rehab game, but the Sox’ first baseman asked if he could change that plan. Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson called Red Sox trainer Paul Lessard to double-check, and the change was granted.

Youkilis played the field Monday and will DH during Tuesday’s matinee game at McCoy. If everything goes well, he’s expected to be back in Boston’s lineup on Wednesday.

"I feel good. I’m just excited to get out there and start playing some more baseball," he said. "Hopefully everything goes well the next two days and I’ll be back in the [Red Sox] lineup on Wednesday. I’m slowly getting back. These next two days will help me get back in baseball shape. A lot of times you try to work out off the field and rehab, but it’s not the same as getting the spikes on and getting in the dirt."

His time back at McCoy will be brief, but it evoked a lot of good memories.

"It’s great coming down to Pawtucket. It was a good experience. This is the place I came through to get to the major leagues," he said.

jmcdonal@projo.com