Even after adding veteran defense-first infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa to their roster on February 4, the Boston Red Sox are still in the market for another infielder with a stronger bat. Since signing Kiner-Falefa, who is likely to take up a backup or support role in the infield, Boston has also added more depth.
The Red Sox late in the evening on February 5 signed former Colorado Rockies and Houston Astros infielder Brendan Rodgers to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training (first reported by Chris Cotillo of MassLive). Rodgers, a former Gold Glove Award winner, will compete for a spot in the infield on the Opening Day roster.
The Red Sox are still without a starting infielder as spring training approaches. Rodgers won't (and shouldn't be) the guy who gets the nod on Opening Day, but as Boston delays its final signing further, its pool of options shrink and gets more expensive. Rodgers is a solid addition on a minor league deal, but the Red Sox need to get their roster together quickly.
Rogers, 29, is a seven-year big leaguer who spent the first six years of his career with the Rockies before they non-tendered him in 2024. He signed a minor league deal with the Astros last season and ended up playing 43 games in the majors.
Red Sox sign former Rockies Gold Glove-winning infielder Brendan Rodgers to a minor league deal while still without a starter
Rodgers is another defense-first signing by Boston, but he has a few solid offensive seasons on his stat sheet. He's played the majority of his major league games at second base, but he's also appeared at shortstop 36 times
Rogers won a Gold Glove as a second baseman in 2022. He posted three outs above average for 81st percentile range and led the league in assists (411) and double plays turned (99). Rodgers hasn't had as good a defensive season since, sitting mostly around league average.
The middle infielder is a career .261/.313/.401 hitter over 495 major league games in his career. Rodgers has never played more than 137 games in a season and he's only played more than 100 three times (2021, '22, '24). In 2025, he slashed .191/.266/.278 with four doubles, two homers and 11 RBI with the Astros after he made the Opening Day roster. While he was on a rehab assignment in Triple-A, he collided with a teammate and was placed on the 60-day injured list with a concussion and nasal fracture, ending his season.
There will be plenty of competition for Boston's second base job during spring training. Kiner-Falefa, Romy Gonzalez, Nick Sogard, David Hamilton, and possibly the Red Sox's final infield addition will be in the mix for the job. As of now, Gonzalez has the best case after his body of work last season, but Rodgers' defensive prowess could give him a solid chance to make the roster.