Daniel Bard‘s long, winding journey has taken a turn back towards the big leagues.

The Red Sox pitcher is back with the team on Wednesday, but will not be activated until Thursday, according to multiple reports. The right-hander had been pitching with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox since June 3, after he was sent down and began transitioning back from a starter to a reliever.

Bard was 4-6 with a 5.30 ERA as a starter for the Sox, but struggled with his control while walking 36 batters and only striking out 34. In the minor leagues, Bard and the Sox decided that he would be better off returning to a bullpen role, but the transition has been bumpy, to say the least.

He is the owner of a 7.03 ERA for Pawtucket in 31 games in 2012, and his 32/29 K/BB ratio again signals some issues. With rosters set to expand on Sept. 1, however, the Red Sox seem to be confident that Bard can sort out those issues with the big-league club.