Minneapolis, MN -- (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox activated first baseman Sean Casey off the 15-day disabled list Monday and cleared room on the roster by designating pitcher Julian Tavarez for assignment.

Casey had been sidelined since April 26 with a right hip strain, suffering the injury a day earlier while running the bases in a game against Tampa Bay. He played two games in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket and went 3-for-6 with a double.

In 17 games prior to the setback, Casey was batting .346 with eight runs batted in. He finished with a single in four at-bats during a 7-3 series- ending defeat to the Minnesota Twins.

Tavarez appeared in nine games for Boston this season, posting a record of 0-1 with a 6.39 earned run average. He's allowed 12 runs -- nine earned -- on 18 hits with nine walks and six strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.

The journeyman right-hander, who will turn 35 on May 22, was in his third year with the Red Sox after pitching for St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Florida, the Chicago Cubs, Colorado, San Francisco and Cleveland since 1993.