The Boston Red Sox signed free agent infielder Ryan Roberts, who will be active for Monday night’s game against the visiting Texas Rangers.
To make room for Roberts on the 25-man roster, the club optioned infielder Brock Holt to Triple-A Pawtucket, and made room for Roberts on the 40-man roster by transferring right-handed pitcher Steven Wright to the 60-day disabled list.
The club signed Roberts to fill in at third base with Will Middlebrooks on the 15-day disabled list as of Sunday with a strained calf.
In eight major-league season, Roberts, 33, has a .245 average with 71 doubles, 46 home runs and 169 RBIs over 1,481 at-bats with the Toronto Blue Jays (2006-07), Texas Rangers (2008), Arizona Diamondbacks (2009-12), and Tampa Bay Rays (2012-13).
Roberts played 18 spring training games with the Chicago Cubs last month before getting released.
In 2013, Roberts batted .247 in 162 at-bats with six doubles, five homers, 17 RBIs over 60 games.
Holt, 25, returns to Pawtucket after getting called up for one game but he did not play. He is 4-for-11 with two doubles, two walks, three runs scored, and a stolen base in three games with Pawtucket this season.
Wright, 29, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on March 27 while recovering from right sports hernia surgery.