Red Sox sign Javy Lopez

BOSTON, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Javy Lopez of Baltimore off the waiver wire.

Lopez, who had been unhappy with his role with the Orioles and demanded a trade, cleared waivers earlier this week. He was waived on Monday.

Lopez lost his starting job behind the plate to free agent Ramon Hernandez, and did not like playing first base.

"He's happy," Lopez' agent, Chuck Berry, told the Baltimore Sun. "Obviously, when you have an opportunity to go and play with a team that is up there right around first place, it's good. I think he feels a little frustrated and a little down that things didn't work out better with Baltimore."

In 279 at-bats this season, Lopez is hitting .265 with eight home runs and 31 RBI.

He was needed by Boston after regular catcher Jason Varitek underwent arthroscopic left-knee surgery on Thursday. Varitek is expected to miss at least six weeks.