BOSTON -- Since reliever Craig Hansen was part of the Ramirez three-team deal on Thursday, the Red Sox need bullpen help.

So, the Sox recalled right-handed reliever Chris Smith from Pawtucket.

It’s Smith’s third stint with Boston this season. He is 1-3 with a 2.24 ERA in 31 games (four starts) for the PawSox this season.

Smith had pitched four scoreless innings with four saves in his last four outings for Pawtucket. For Boston this season, he’s 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA in three appearances.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who has allowed five runs in 17 1/3 innings of work in the last 18 games, feels like the struggling bullpen will be fine.

“I think we’ll be fine,” he said. “Once we get [David] Aardsma back, we’ll be fine. We’ve got to get back to throwing up zeros. We had a little bump in the road about two or three weeks ago. Now we’re starting to get back to where our bullpen is taking the initiative of what our role is — to go out there and preserve ball games. I don’t think much will change in our bullpen.”

Aardsma is on the DL with a groin strain.

jmcdonal@projo.com