By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

OAKLAND, Calif — Rich Hill has been with the Red Sox for parts of three seasons now but has pitched in only 32 games.

The lefthanded reliever from Milton was still recovering from shoulder surgery when he was signed in 2010. His 2011 season was cut short by a torn ligament and subsequent Tommy John Surgery.

Hill was pitching effectively this year until he strained a flexor tendon and landed on the disabled list in early June.

He will be activated for Saturday night’s game against Oakland. Hill pitched in eight minor league games as part of his rehabilitation.

“Everything has been feeling good. I’ve been able to go out there and pitch with conviction and have the ball go the way I want and have it come out of my hand the way I want to,” he said Friday after rejoining the team. “I’m looking forward to pitching.”

Hill thought he was finally ready to resume his career in full after the shoulder and elbow injuries. The tendon strain was an unexpected obstacle.

"With all the work you put in in the offseason, and the work that goes into coming back and then having a setback like this, it is frustrating, no doubt about it,” Hill said. “You see how hard you work to come back and to have something happen, I guess it's part of the game. You continue on and keep going out there and pitching with conviction.”

The Red Sox will likely wait on their other roster additions until after Triple A Pawtucket is finished with the International League playoffs.