PORTLAND – Mike Nicolas reported to the Sea Dogs on Saturday.

The hard-throwing right-hander was acquired by the Red Sox from Milwaukee on Thursday, just a day after the Brewers had claimed him on waivers from the San Diego Padres.

Nicolas has an abundance of talent, but has had his problems off the field, including an arrest for inflicting corporal injury on his wife back in January in Riverside County, California.

“We’re aware of what comes along with him,” said Red Sox farm director Ben Cherington. “I think he recognizes that this is a second chance.”

Portland manager Ron Johnson said as far as he is concerned, Nicolas has a clean slate.

“I don’t judge people by hearsay,” said Johnson. “He starts fresh with me here today. I think we could all find things in our closets that we’d probably rather not have out there in the open.

“But that’s life and you learn from those things. Right now, it’s not even an issue.”

There is no disputing Nicolas’ ability.

Signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Padres in 2000, the 23-year-old has struck out 271 in 208 innings over three minor league seasons. Last year with Class A Lake Elsinore (California League), Nicolas fanned 121 in 77 innings while holding opponents to a .181 batting average. His fastball was clocked consistently in the mid-90s, topping out at 100 miles per hour.

Rated the Padres’ No. 8 prospect by Baseball America, Nicolas was put on waivers last week after going 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA in five games for the Double-A Mobile BayBears of the Southern League. The Brewers claimed him and immediately sent him to Boston for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The Red Sox do have some familiarity with Nicolas. He was signed when current Boston general manager Theo Epstein was with the San Diego organization.

“We’re obviously going to get to know him better over the next couple of weeks,” said Cherington. “We looked into it thoroughly and feel that given his ability, it’s worth the risk and we want to take a shot at it. Basically he’s a good kid and we’ll try to work with him so his energies can be focused on the field.

“I feel like we’re equipped, as far as from a staff standpoint, and also have the resources in the organization to help him deal with any issues he has off the field.”

Nicolas declined to get into the specifics of his legal problems as he prepared to throw in the bowels of the Portland Expo after Saturday afternoon’s game against New Haven was postponed because of rain, saying only, “Everything’s okay with my family.”

His family includes a two-year old daughter. His wife is due to give birth to another daughter in late July.

Although he has been projected as a closer, Cherington said Nicolas would likely fill the set-up role for Anastacio Martinez.

Nicolas is just looking forward to getting back out on the field

“I don’t care (what team it is),” Nicolas said in broken English. “I only want to play baseball.”

That opportunity could come as soon as today’s doubleheader against the Ravens.

“We just have to make sure he’s in shape,” said Johnson. “I hear he has a tremendous arm. We’re very excited to have him in the organization.”

Sea Dogs notes: Catcher Kelly Shoppach, the Red Sox No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, will join the Sea Dogs on Tuesday. Shoppach opened the season on the disabled list after having shoulder surgery in the off-season.Cherington said pitcher Robert Person will likely go to Triple-A Pawtucket instead of Portland as he continues to rehab an injury suffered in spring training. Alan Embree will rejoin the parent club straight from Class A Sarasota.Saturday’s postponement was the fifth at home and ninth overall for the Sea Dogs. The mark for most postponements at Hadlock Field is six set back in 2001.Greg Montalbano (1-0, 7.88 ERA) and Junior Herndon (0-1, 5.25) will go for the Sea Dogs in today’s twin bill. New Haven will counter with Pete Bauer (1-1, 2.70) and Josh Arnold (1-1, 0.52).

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