BOSTON — Brock Holt’s reward for playing well in his seven games with the Red Sox is a trip back to the minors.

The Red Sox have optioned Holt to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for third baseman Will Middlebrooks, according to manager John Farrell. Middlebrooks has been on the disabled list since April 6 because of a calf strain he suffered during pregame sprints.

Holt hit .348 (8-for-23) in his seven games with Boston since being recalled last Friday, and he provided exactly the spark the Red Sox hoped he would upon joining the big league club. It was pretty clear, however, that Holt’s call-up would be brief, as Jonathan Herrera won Boston’s utility job out of spring training because of his defensive ability at shortstop. The Red Sox’s stance hasn’t really changed over the first few weeks of the regular season.

Middlebrooks certainly will add some pop to the Red Sox’s offense, although Boston showed in Thursday’s 14-5 loss to the New York Yankees that pitching and defense are the team’s two biggest flaws right now.