TIMLIN

PHOENIX — Veteran reliever Mike Timlin walked back into the Red Sox’ clubhouse yesterday afternoon, equipment bag in hand and locker waiting for him.

Timlin, who threw an inning for Pawtucket Thursday night in his rehabilitation stint, is expected to be activated in time for tonight’s game.

The right-hander hasn’t pitched for Boston since May 2, one inning at home against Oakland in which he gave up two hits and a run. The next day he was placed on the disabled list because of right shoulder tendinitis.

“I feel good,” said Timlin, who had two rehab outings for the PawSox this past week because the Boston brass didn’t want to activate him prematurely.

“This is where I should be,” he said. “But you have to take time to make sure I’m right. I just want to consistently throw strikes. Nothing’s changed.”

One thing that will change is the Sox’ roster tomorrow when general manager Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona have to make room for Timlin.

The obvious choice would be to send Javier Lopez back to Pawtucket because the sidearming left-hander has options. Lopez generally has been effective since being called up on May 11, but has surrendered four hits and a run over his last three outings, totaling 2 1/3 innings.

Otherwise, the Sox would either have to eat the contract of another reliever (J.C. Romero? Joel Pineiro?) or suddenly discover a reliever who needs to be placed on the disabled list.

“Some (decisions) are harder than others,” said Francona. “This one isn’t going to be the case where a guy is called up for two days and is an obvious send (back to Pawtucket). It gets very difficult.”

Some trepidation

David Ortiz was in the Sox’ starting lineup last night, which wasn’t news.

But he was starting at first base, which will be his home for the first two days of this interleague series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks because the pitcher hits for American League teams in road interleague games.

The designated hitter is not used, so Ortiz was at first and Francona was going to find himself watching Ortiz with trepidation.

“I don’t want him to be embarrassed, have a ball to him and (he) kicks it,” said Francona. “He hasn’t been there for two months. It’s not fair. He’s handled it before (in past interleague games) and no doubt he’ll do it again, but I worry about it.”

The interleague games here will force Francona to rotate three of his hottest hitters, starting each of them in two games. Last night, Ortiz and third baseman Mike Lowell were starting, with first baseman Kevin Youkilis replaced by Ortiz.

Tonight, Youkilis will give Lowell a rest at third base with Ortiz at first. And tomorrow, with left-hander Randy Johnson on the mound for the Diamondbacks, Ortiz will sit out the start, with Lowell at third and Youkilis at first.

Familiar faces

There are several familiar faces on the other side of the field from the Red Sox in this series.

The Diamondbacks’ general manager is Josh Byrnes, and their assistant GM is Peter Woodfork, each of whom worked under Boston general manager Theo Epstein.

Francona had nothing but good things to say about the duo.

“I was thrilled to see them get this opportunity, but not happy to see them leave,” said Francona. “They’re so special. They’re awesome.”

Arizona’s manager Bob Melvin caught briefly for the Red Sox in 1993; one of their coaches, Lee Tinsley, spent time with Boston as an outfielder from 1994-96, and Diamondbacks first baseman Tony Clark was a member of the Sox in 2002.

Pedroia’s homecoming

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who starred at nearby Arizona State University, was a focus of pregame attention for the local media.

“It’s good to be back here. It’s fun. It’s exciting,” said Pedroia, who was one of five finalists for the 2004 Golden Spikes Award at ASU before being drafted by the Red Sox in the second round that spring.

skrasner@projo.com