Outfielder Andrew Benintendi, infielder Chase Meidroth, pitcher Martín Pérez and manager Will Venable were among the ex-Red Sox affiliates slated to return to Fenway Park once Chicago opened up a four-game set with Boston on Friday night. That group added another name once Meidroth was placed on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation before Monday morning’s series finale: Bobby Dalbec.

Boston designated Dalbec for assignment last September, which began the 29-year-old’s free agency path and search for a new landing spot. The White Sox came knocking at Dalbec’s door in January with a minor league contract offer, which Dalbec signed. It was an abrupt excited from Boston — and an ironic return — but the fifth-year pro is keeping his perspective optimistic as he embraces his career’s next chapter.

“There’s no hard feelings or any of that stuff,” Dalbec told reporters, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “I love everybody here and I wish ’em all the best.’

Chicago placed Pérez, who started Friday night’s series opener, on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow injury to make room for Dalbec on the roster. Venable, a former Red Sox bench coach, gave Dalbec a pinch-hitting at-bat in the eighth inning of Boston’s 4-2 victory, but Dalbec struck out on three pitches against Aroldis Chapman.

Dalbec played first base for the remainder of the game to wrap up a brief and unexpected return to Boston.

The Red Sox projected that Dalbec would contribute to their current overflowing talent situation, but instead, the 2022 season turned out to be the start of the end for him. Dalbec batted just .215/.283/.369 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs across 117 games with Boston, and as Triston Casas began rising in the farm system ranks at the time, the Red Sox began losing faith in Dalbec.

It reached the point that Boston didn’t have room because Dalbec didn’t have enough to offer the club. Dalbec hit just .133 across 93 plate appearances last season — a time in which Casas was injured and the Red Sox desperately needed production at first base.

Nevertheless, while bygones are bygones, Dalbec did admit his first trip to Fenway Park as a visiting player was unlike anything he’s ever experienced before.

“It’s different,” Dalbec said. “Obviously had been with Boston for a long time. New faces and everything but there’s really good people over here and I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Dalbec added: “Funny thing that it’s here (at Fenway Park).”

With Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights, Dalbec began to find his footing at the plate. Dalbec was hitting .326 with four home runs and 13 RBIs before rushing over to Boston and arriving at 1:30 a.m. in time for Monday’s contest.

Now, Dalbec will work to make the most of his latest opportunity in the big leagues.