David Ortiz gets a high-five from teammate Kevin Youkilis after the DH hit a two-run home run in the third inning. Ortiz had two homers in the game.

The Providence Journal / Mary Murphy

BOSTON — David Ortiz has not yet become acquainted with new teammate Eric Gagne, but the Red Sox slugger knows this about the right-handed reliever that Boston acquired yesterday from Texas:

“His attitude? I’m coming out to get you,” said Ortiz when asked before last night’s game about his impressions of the 31-year-old, who recorded a four-out save in helping the Rangers to a 2-1 victory over the Sox on July 1.

“I haven’t played with him, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. We need him,” Ortiz said. “I’ve faced him a couple of times. I’ve had like two or three at-bats against him. I tried to figure him out. He’s got good stuff. … Man, the last time I faced him, he really had it going on.”

Left speechless

Apparently not learning that he had been traded until shortly before batting practice, Kason Gabbard was still cleaning out his locker at about 4:35 p.m.

The southpaw declined to comment on the news that he had been traded to the Texas Rangers along with outfielders David Murphy and Engel Beltre in exchange for Gagne and cash considerations.

His eyes noticeably watering, Gabbard stopped by Ortiz’s locker to say goodbye. Ortiz gave him a big bear hug and said, “Keep doing your best.”

“He’s a good kid,” Ortiz said of Gabbard, who was 4-0 in seven starts this season. “He just came in and he did what he was supposed to. I wish him the best. I wish him good luck. It’s hard to see a guy that you’ve played with go. But you know how it is.”

Surgery for Donnelly

Veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly announced that he will fly to the West Coast and undergo “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow “either next Friday or the following Tuesday.”

Orthopedist Lewis Yocum will perform the surgery on the right-hander, who has been on the DL since mid-June with what was initially described as a strained right forearm.

Having gone through seven weeks of treatment to no avail, Donnelly said he was not surprised to learn that he would need surgery.

“For several years it’s been going on, but there were really no signs of it breaking down over the last three years until now,” said the 36-year-old, who was 2-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 27 appearances this season. “We’ve tried everything two times to come back, and by doing the surgery now, it gives me the opportunity to pitch next year and four or five years down the line, as opposed to just fighting through day by day and wondering when the day’s going to come that it’s just going to fail. That day came and we tried to do everything we could to come back, and it’s just not responding.

“By doing this, I’ll be able to come back basically with a brand new arm and get back to what I did early on in my career,” added Donnelly, who anticipates returning to action “in a year or less.”

Tavarez to start

Julian Tavarez, who was relegated to the bullpen on July 22 upon Jon Lester’s return, will likely start in place of Gabbard tonight against Baltimore.

Previous to the move to the bullpen, the right-hander — who gave up four unearned runs in 3 2/3 innings over three relief appearances — made 18 appearances as a starter. After a stretch in which he went unbeaten in seven starts and posted a 4-0 record with a 3.07 ERA, Tavarez then went 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA in his last five starts.

Timlin improving

Mike Timlin, who hasn’t pitched since last Monday because of soreness in his right shoulder, threw a 24-pitch side session early yesterday and “did very well,” according to manager Terry Francona.

The veteran right-hander, who has been on the disabled list twice already this season, is likely to be available out of the bullpen tonight. Timlin has been unscored upon over his last 11 outings, totaling 16 innings.

skrasner@projo.com