BOSTON -- Dustin Pedroia will make his major-league debut this week for the Red Sox to replace shortstop Alex Gonzalez , who will be placed on the disabled list today with a Grade 1 oblique strain.

Gonzalez has missed the last three games and had an MRI taken yesterday that showed the slight strain. Boston manager Terry Francona said the club is going to give him a couple of days to see if he can bounce back. The Sox gave Gonzalez the option to join the club on its West Coast trip or stay behind to rest. It was unclear if he traveled with the team after yesterday's game.

Pedroia, 22, is a highly-touted infielder who has been tearing up Triple A lately. Entering last night's doubleheader in Ottawa, he was hitting .306 with five homers and 50 RBI in 110 games for the PawSox.

There was some talk he would be called up earlier this month. When Sox third baseman Mike Lowell went down with a sore foot earlier this month, the Red Sox brass asked Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson to play Pedroia at third base just in case. Lowell, however, was back in the lineup and Pedroia had to sit and wait.

At the time, Red Sox vice president of player personnel Ben Cherington said: "We believe (Pedroia) is going to be an everyday player in the big leagues someday."

His day may be sooner instead of later.

Hansen sent down

His E.R.A. soaring and his confidence plummeting, Craig Hansen was optioned to Pawtucket yesterday morning and replaced by reliever Bryan Correy. Hansen, who had teamed with Manny Delcarmen to aid Mike Timlin in a set-up capacity for the last few months, was the losing pitcher in Sunday's crushing 8-5, extra-inning loss.

"We felt like we needed to do that for him," said Francona. "It's potentially overwhelming for him and that's not doing him any good. We haven't lessened his expectations for him, but he's had a real tough time. It was real tough for him to hear. He was dejected. But it's in his best interest."

Hansen was 1-1 with a 6.60 E.R.A. in 28 games, giving up 39 hits in 30 innings. Since the All-Star break, Hansen had a 7.85 E.R.A. with 27 hits allowed in 18 1/3 innings.

With the Pawtucket Red Sox in Ottawa, Hansen will be given a few days before joining the Pawsox in Syracuse.

Correy, obtained last month in a trade with Texas, was designated for assignment six days later. After clearing waivers, he accepted an assignment to Pawtucket before rejoining the club yesterday.

Snyder gets nod

After thinking about Kason Gabbard as their starter in tonight's West Coast opener, the Sox changed course yesterday and announced that Kyle Snyder will get the assignment.

Snyder pitched Friday and Saturday in the Yankee series, but was held out of the last two games.

"I'm excited to get a chance to start again," said Snyder who went to the bullpen and lost his spot to Jason Johnson earlier this month. "There's no question about it. I'll go out and try to give us a chance to win the ballgame and work as deep into the game as I can."

Snyder said the bullpen workload won't be a factor tonight.

"For me," he said, "it's more about mental preparation than physical. I feel as good physically as I have in my career. It's just a matter of staying focused."

Gabbard will join the team in Anaheim tonight, too, but will pitch out of the bullpen. To make room for him, lefty Javier Lopez was returned to Pawtucket.

DiNardo's health okay

Red Sox reliever Lenny DiNardo says he's a new man. The lefty has been on the disabled list with a neck strain since May 22, but the last two weeks he said he feels completely recovered. He's scheduled to pitch for Double-A Portland tonight and if things go well, he will start for Pawtucket during the Futures of Fenway doubleheader on Saturday.

jmcdonal@projo.com / (401) 277-7340

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340