FORT MYERS, Fla. -- George Kottaras's agent was the first to call with the news that Josh Bard had been released. That was followed by a phone call from Terry Francona in which the Sox manager didn't mention the Bard news, but did mention that Kottaras wouldn't be going to Sarasota, Fla., and would instead be staying to catch Tim Wakefield in a minor league game today.

Then came bullpen coach -- and catcher guru -- Gary Tuck, who truly broke the news that Kottaras would have the inside track on the backup catcher job for the Sox this season.

"It's a big deal and I'm not going to take it lightly at all," Kottaras said. "I'm still going to work hard. I'm still going to be in the cages with Gary and trying to get better. Just learn how to handle him. The more I'm around him, the more I get to know him, it helps a lot."

Kottaras caught Wakefield over at the minor league complex this afternoon, an outing in which Wakefield looked strong. He allowed just one hit, a first-inning single, in five scoreless innings. He struck out three batters, throwing 48 pitches (32 strikes). In the game, Kottaras went 3-for-4 as he batted out of order -- second in each of the first four innings -- to get four at bats in the first five innings. (That's allowed in the minor league games.)

"I'm very confident," Wakefield said, of having Kottaras behind the plate. "I'm sad for Josh, again. It's unfortunate, but that's the business of baseball sometimes. Josh did a great job and I hope he catches on somewhere and continues his career. He's been a true professional. He did everything right here, it just didn't happen. On the other side, Georgie did a tremendous job today and I have the utmost confidence in him that he'll be able to last all season long with me."

Wakefield praised, in particular, Kottaras's "very good hands" as helping him catch the knuckleball. It was also important, he said, to see Kottaras catch him in a game. Despite some trouble with making the transfer between his glove and his throwing hand when runners were going, Wakefield was impressed by the performance, in Friday night's game against the Yankees.

As for starting the season with the major league club, which seems to be a distinct possibility, Kottaras said, "I just want to make it a reality. It's something I've been working hard for all of my career, and getting an opportunity, I'm going to run with it."