BOSTON -- The Red Sox on Wednesday made it official, promoting reliever Daniel Bard from Double-A Portland. Manager John Farrell made it clear that the Sox are hopeful this is more than just a temporary fix, that he will become a permanent part of the bullpen.

"He's here to do just that, perform and be a regular in our bullpen," Farrell said before Wednesday afternoon's game with the Oakland Athletics.

Bard was unscored upon in his last five outings (six innings) for the Sea Dogs, maintaining an average speed in the 93 to 96 m.p.h. range and throwing strikes (8 of 10 pitches he threw Tuesday night were strikes).

Daniel Bard is back on the Red Sox roster, intent on putting the disaster of 2012 behind him. AP Photo/David Goldman

"The last three outings, he's been much more consistent," Farrell said. "We've made the comment and took the stance in spring training that this was about repeating his delivery. It wasn't so much on the end result, but the results have been there, along with the consistent arm slot and the delivery. With our need to add to the bullpen, he's back here."

While there is more work to be done, Farrell said, Bard has progressed to the point where no major overhaul is required.

"I think it's a matter of maintenance, not wholesale adjustments by any means," Farrell said. "It's a matter of repeating a delivery that's natural to him, and when he does he's been successful."

Speaking in the dugout before Wednesday's game against the A's, Bard said he was happy to be back at Fenway and is confident in the adjustments he has made.

"My delivery feels simple right now. It feels easy to repeat," Bard said. "Kip [Portland pitching coach Bob Kipper] was a great guy to work with. He kind of pounds things into your head, almost to where it gets annoying, but it's good. I think everyone agrees who has played for him it sticks and he genuinely cares. I couldn't ask for a better guy to work with.''

Bard raved about the work he did with Kipper.

"I don't think I ever realized how much I valued him until this year," Bard said. "He was the guy who I played catch with every day. He caught my flat grounds. The feedback was just awesome, the input.

"He just loves to focus on positives. Even in one or two outings that maybe didn't go as well, he'd say, 'How many pitches did you throw that you liked?' I'd say, 'Seven.' He'd say, 'Let's focus on those seven, and get back at it tomorrow.

"Boom. That was it. Erase the negative., A good guy to be around, for sure.''

Most importantly, Bard said he has better command of his fastball.