Left-hander Jon Lester, Boston’s minor league pitcher of the year, was among six players the Red Sox added to their 40-man roster Friday. The team also released veteran outfielder Gabe Kapler.

In addition to Lester, right-handers Jesus Delgado, Harvey Garcia and David Pauley, and outfielders David Murphy and Brandon Moss.

Kapler was a backup outfielder with the Red Sox in 2004, and was the first player to leave the World Series champions when he signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants last November. After struggling in Japan, he re-signed with Boston in July. He hit .247 with one home run and nine RBIs in 36 games before he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon while rounding second base on Tony Graffanino’s homer on Sept. 14.

Lester was 11-6 with an Eastern League-leading 2.61 ERA and 163 strikeouts for Double-A Portland last season.

Delgado went 7-3 with a 3.50 ERA in 33 relief appearances for Class A Greenville, while Garcia was 3-5 with six saves and a 2.01 ERA in 32 relief appearances for the Drive.

Pauley was 9-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 27 starts for Portland.

Murphy, a former first-round draft pick and the team’s minor league defensive player of the year, hit .275 with 14 homers and 75 RBIs for Portland. Moss hit .268 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Sea Dogs.

AP-ES-11-18-05 2214EST