BOSTON -- The Red Sox have acquired veteran infielder John McDonald and cash considerations from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor league pitcher Nefi Ogando.
McDonald, 38, will join the Red Sox on Sunday, when rosters expand from 25 to up to 40 players. To make room on the 40-man roster for McDonald, RHP Alex Wilson was transferred to the 60-day DL.
McDonald, a native of New London, Conn., current Scituate, Mass., resident and former Providence College standout, is a 15-year MLB veteran and considered one of the best utility players in the game.
"A New England kid getting a chance to be a part of this franchise, this group of players and staff, with everything that has happened this year, I get to live out what we all wanted as kids. Pretty amazing feeling," McDonald told ESPNBoston.com via text message.
He has played a total of 45 games this season between the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and Phillies. He’s hitting a combined .098 with one double, one home run and four RBIs, but the Red Sox didn’t acquire him for his bat. He can still play defense and will add another veteran presence in the clubhouse.
"He's a premium defender at all three [infield] positions and he’ll serve as depth, particularly in the middle of the infield," manager John Farrell said. "He can obviously also play third base but we felt like even though we put Will [Middlebrooks] at second base a couple of times, if something were to happen unforeseen we've got someone who's not only tested but very seasoned at second base as well."
Ogando, a 24-year-old left-hander, spent the season at Single-A Salem. In 33 relief appearances, he went 2-3 with three saves, a 4.09 ERA and 44 strikeouts.
