ANAHEIM — The news yesterday that Bobby Kielty is coming to Boston — sooner rather than later, presumably — means that Wily Mo Pena will eventually be going.

Kielty signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox yesterday and is expected to join the Pawtucket Red Sox in time for tomorrow’s I.L. doubleheader in Scranton. Designated for assignment two weeks ago by the Oakland A’s and released last week, Kielty hasn’t faced live pitching in a while and needs some playing time to get his timing back at the plate.

Kielty’s deal, which has the Sox paying only the pro-rated share of the $380,000 minimum major-league salary and the A’s on the hook for the remainder of his $2.1-million salary, includes a clause which allows Kielty an out if the Sox don’t promote him to the major-league roster before the end of August. The exact date specified isn’t known.

The 31-year-old Kielty is a switch-hitting outfielder who has played for Minnesota, Toronto and Oakland in his career and has been highly effective against left-handed pitching. He’s a better outfielder than Pena and makes more consistent contact, though he lacks Pena’s raw power. Kielty’s major-league high for homers is 12, which he hit with the Twins in 2002.

Pena needs a home

Before Kielty can be added, the Sox must find a way to move Pena elsewhere. The Sox found some interest from San Diego and Pittsburgh before the non-waiver trading deadline, and talked of including him in a deal for Chicago’s Jermaine Dye, but ultimately held onto him.

The Sox, incidentally, have no interest in outfielder Jeff DaVannon, another switch-hitting outfielder, who was designated for assignment yesterday by Arizona.

Just glad to be here

Brandon Moss was so happy to be making his major-league debut yesterday that he wasn’t even upset by the nameplate above his locker in the visitors’ clubhouse in Angel Stadium, which read: “Brendan (sic) Moss.”

“Nope,” said a smiling Moss, shaking his head. “Doesn’t matter.”

Moss was promoted from Pawtucket yesterday when the Sox placed Eric Hinske on the bereavement list. Hinske’s grandmother died recently and he has returned to Arizona to be with his wife, who is going through a difficult pregnancy.

Moss likely will be with the Sox for only three games. By Friday, Hinske is expected to rejoin the Sox in Baltimore. A player must spend a minimum of three days on the bereavement list.

“Any chance you get to be here,” said Moss, who was hitting .290 with 13 homers and 67 RBI, “you got to take it and soak it all in.”

He described his mood yesterday as a combination of “curious and awestruck. This is where you want to be.”

Transition eased

Moss was in big-league camp the last two springs, and that exposure to the veteran players helped ease his transition yesterday.

“I can only imagine how tough it would be without that,” he said. “It’s a lot to take in. It would be overwhelming (without it).”

“He knows he’s only here for three days,” said manager Terry Francona. “This is a good way to get a look at the major leagues. He has a really bright future, and this is a great way to get his feet wet. He’ll see the surroundings and how we do things.”

Moss didn’t take long to make his major-league debut. Manny Ramirez was ejected from the game in the top of the fourth inning for arguing a called third strike by home plate umpire James Hoye, and Moss was inserted into the lineup in his place.

Back where he belongs

Dustin Pedroia returned to the lineup last night, hitting leadoff, after being given the afternoon off Sunday in Seattle. Pedroia went into last night hitting .366 over his last 17 games, and his .321 average for the season placed him ninth overall in the American League.

Among qualifying American League rookies, Pedroia was first in average; second in on-base percentage (.396); second in hits (105); second in multi-hits (32), second in walks (37); second in doubles (24), third in RBI (34); third in total bases (143), and third in slugging percentage (.437).

Options at first

With Hinske sidelined, Francona said he wasn’t concerned about backup options at first base were something to happen to starter Kevin Youkilis.

Among the manager’s options: Mike Lowell, Alex Cora, Doug Mirabelli and Moss. That doesn’t include David Ortiz, who would cost the Sox the use of the DH if he moved from DH to first base within a game.

smcadam@projo.com