BOSTON -- The Red Sox on Tuesday activated outfielder Daniel Nava (wrist strain) from the 15-day disabled list and he’s starting as the club’s designated hitter in the opener of a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park.

“It feels good to be back,” said Nava, who’s been on the DL since July 29. “Sitting around and watching baseball isn’t exactly how you plan on enjoying your summer, right?”

Entering Tuesday’s game, Nava has played 65 games for the Red Sox this season. He was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on May 10 and made 51 starts in left field with the absence of Carl Crawford (elbow/wrist). Overall, Nava has posted a .251 average with four homers and 27 RBIs for the Red Sox this season.

“It’s been a good experience,” he said. “I can go back to spring training and I didn’t know where I would be, and then to get the opportunity to come up and help the team was fun. Obviously, getting injured is something you never want to happen, and you never hope to happen to anybody. Hopefully I can get out there and help this team win.”

Recently, Nava played two minor-league rehab games for the PawSox and went 1-for-4 with a solo homer and two walks with Pawtucket.

Now that Crawford’s season is over, Nava likely will see a lot of action for the remainder of the season. Valentine said as much before Tuesday's game.

"I guess I see it like when Carl was out prior," Valentine said. "Luckily Daniel Nava was just about finished with his rehab. We have Daniel, we have Scott Podsednik, who is playing there tonight, and I think they'll do just fine, they're good players.

"We'll miss Carl. I'm really happy that Carl got the games in that he got in, and I'm really happy that he had the success that he had. I think that Carl now can feel that at least he showed the fans, in a small way, but an everyday way that he is a very good player, and I think he needed to do that."

Nava's ready to help.

“Regardless of whether CC was going to have [surgery] or not, getting activated and being able to contribute in some way, shape or form was what I was trying to do,” Nava said. “I’m not trying to repeat what I did earlier, I’m just trying to help the team win tonight, tomorrow or whatever the role they need me to do.”

In another roster move, the Red Sox activated reliever Vicente Padilla and optioned third baseman Danny Valencia to Pawtucket.