Prior to tonight's game against the Kansas City Royals, the Boston Red Sox added utility player Eduardo Núñez to the active 25-man roster. To make room for Núñez on the 25-man roster, infielderDeven Marrero was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Núñez will wear number 36.
In addition, infielder Josh Rutledge, who was transferred from the 7-day concussion disabled list to the 10-day disabled list on July 3, was recalled from his rehab assignment with Pawtucket.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.
Núñez, 30, was acquired on Tuesday from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league right-handed pitchers Shaun Anderson and Gregory Santos. The Dominican native hit .308 (93-for-302) with 20 doubles, four home runs, and 31 RBI in 76 games for the Giants this season, adding 18 stolen bases in 23 attempts. The right-handed batter has hit safely in 38 of his last 42 games since May 12, batting .353 (61-for-173) with a .497 slugging percentage in that time. He reached base in 33 consecutive games from May 12 to July 16, the longest streak by any major leaguer this season. Núñez has made 47 starts at third base in 2017, as well as 17 in left field, 10 at shortstop, and one in right field. Named an American League All-Star in 2016, Núñez has batted .279 (557-for-1,999) with 38 home runs and 123 stolen bases over eight major league seasons with the New York Yankees (2010-13), Minnesota Twins (2014-16), and Giants (2016-17).
Marrero, 26, has hit .212 (32-for-151) with seven doubles, three home runs, and 23 RBI in 58 games for Boston this season, helping the club to a 27-16 record in his 43 starts. He has posted a .977 fielding percentage (three errors in 130 total chances) in 2017 while appearing in 49 games at third base, four at second base, three at shortstop, and one at first base. Since June 28, the right-handed batter has hit .314 (16-for-51) with 10 runs scored and 11 RBI. Originally selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2012 June Draft (24th overall), Marrero holds a .208 batting average (45-for-216) with seven doubles, four home runs, and 26 RBI over 96 career major league games, all with Boston (2015-17). In 508 career minor league contests, he has hit .243 (468-for-1928) with 93 doubles, seven triples, 17 home runs, and 170 RBI.