BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today signed infielder/outfielder Marwin Gonzalez to a one-year contract for the 2021 season. To make room on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-handed pitcher Marcus Walden for assignment.

Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Gonzalez, 31, appeared in 167 games with the Minnesota Twins from 2019-20 and hit .248 (149-for-600) with 23 doubles, 20 home runs, 77 RBI, and a .698 OPS. He spent his first seven major league seasons (2012-18) playing for the Houston Astros and hit .264 (650-for-2,466) with a .737 OPS in 795 games with the club. Gonzalez has played every defensive position other than catcher in his big league career, making 226 starts at shortstop, 123 at first base, 89 at third base, 79 in left field, 71 at second base, and 32 in right field, also making three appearances in center field.

A switch hitter, Gonzalez has batted .261 against both right-handed (564-for-2165) and left-handed pitchers (235-for-901) in his career. Originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as a non-drafted free agent from Venezuela, he has hit .261 (799-for-3,066) with 96 home runs and 369 RBI in 962 major league games over nine seasons. He has also played in 35 Postseason games with the Astros (2015, ’17-18) and Twins (2019-20).

Walden, 32, has spent four seasons in the Red Sox organization after signing with the club as a minor league free agent in December 2016. In 93 major league appearances (all in relief), he went 9-4 with a 4.50 ERA (53 ER/106.0 IP), making Opening Day rosters in 2018 and 2020.

BOSTON RED SOX 40-MAN ROSTER (40)

PITCHERS (23): Matt Andriese, Matt Barnes, Eduard Bazardo, Ryan Brasier, Colten Brewer, Austin Brice, Nathan Eovaldi, Jay Groome, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata, Adam Ottavino, Joel Payamps, Martín Pérez, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Richards, Eduardo Rodriguez, Hirokazu Sawamura, John Schreiber, Connor Seabold, Josh Taylor, Phillips Valdez, Garrett Whitlock

CATCHERS (3): Ronaldo Hernández, Christian Vázquez, Connor Wong

INFIELDERS (9): Jonathan Araúz, Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Michael Chavis, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Marwin Gonzalez, Kiké Hernández, Hudson Potts

OUTFIELDERS (5): J.D. Martinez, Hunter Renfroe, Jeisson Rosario, Alex Verdugo, Marcus Wilson

INJURED LIST

PITCHERS (1): Chris Sale

CATCHERS (1): Kevin Plawecki

OUTFIELDERS (1): Franchy Cordero