NEW YORK -- After a brief three-game rehab stint with the PawSox, reliever Mike Timlin was activated from the disabled list yesterday by the Red Sox.

The veteran right-hander had been dealing with a bout of tendinitis in his left knee, but he said yesterday afternoon that he was fine and ready to pitch. During his three appearances (four games) with Pawtucket, his Boston teammates struggled a bit, and Timlin said it was tough to watch.

"It’s always [difficult] when you're not able to get on the field and help," Timlin said. "That’s just part of it, the competitiveness. … I'm very excited to be here. I'm just happy to be back with my team. I feel fine."

The knee with the tendinitis isn’t something that will need surgery, according to Timlin.

Timlin worked in three games for the PawSox and retired all nine batters he faced. He was scheduled to make a fourth appearance Wednesday at McCoy Stadium, but management felt it best to hold off because Timlin will probably be needed in the Bronx. Instead, Timlin threw a bullpen session Wednesday.

"We’re coming into New York and he’s pitched here a lot of times; he’s throwing the ball well and maybe his two innings will be here," Francona said yesterday. "The reports were as good as the numbers."

To make room on the roster, reliever Chris Smith was optioned to Pawtucket.

While Timlin was on the shelf, his teammates in the Red Sox bullpen struggled. Entering last night's game, the club’s relievers had allowed 29 runs in 32 innings during a five-game skid. Now that the pen's veteran leader is back, Timlin says things will turn around.

"They’ll be just fine," he said.

None of the relievers were needed as last night as Jon Lester pitched a complete-game shutout, though Timlin was warming up in the ninth.