Nunez returns to Sox

Reports: Veteran agrees to deal

Eduardo Nunez doesn’t carry the heft and intimidation factor that J.D. Martinez would give the Red Sox, but he made his presence felt last year, and the team appears ready for a 2018 reunion.

According to multiple reports last night, the Sox have agreed to a one-year contract with the 30-yearold Nunez, who can play all around the infield.

MLB.com was first to report the Red Sox were narrowing in on an agreement with Nunez, who hit .321 with an .893 OPS last year after being acquired at the trade deadline from the San Francisco Giants.

The deal is pending a physical, according to reports.

A clean bill of health is no sure thing given Nunez injured his right knee in September. He was hurt Sept. 9, returned on Sept. 25 and hurt himself again and didn’t play until the playoffs. During his only at-bat of the postseason, Nunez stumbled out of the box and fell to the ground on his way to first base. His season was over.

Prior to the knee injury, the Red Sox’ plan was to re-sign Nunez. Dustin Pedroia’s health has been a constant question mark — he’s since had knee surgery that is expected to keep him out until May — and while the club has high expectations for third baseman Rafael Devers, it’s logical to have a proven backup for a 21-year-old with only 58 games of major league experience.

Nunez and Devers were added to the roster around the same time last summer, and the offense was much different with them in the lineup. The Sox scored 4.65 runs per game prior to their arrival, but 5.19 runs per game after July 28, when Nunez was acquired and Devers was called up from Double-A Portland.

Nunez, if healthy, could provide a proven bat to play second base while Pedroia continues to recover, though his presence could make it difficult for the Sox to carry both Brock Holt and Blake Swihart on the 25-man roster.

There was some question as to whether the Sox would tender Holt a contract this year, given he’s hit just .237 with a .653 OPS in 158 games over the last two seasons while dealing with two concussions and a case of vertigo that have made it difficult for the utility man to regain his form. But the Sox agreed to a $2.2 million salary for Holt this year, his second of arbitration eligibility.

Swihart is not yet arbitration eligible. He’s out of options, meaning he’d have to be designated for assignment or traded if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster. He’s been seen only at catcher so far early in spring training, but the Sox hope to try him at other positions around the infield, including second base.

Terms of Nunez’ contract have not been reported. He made $4.2 million last year. A salary that modest could help the Sox have plenty of financial flexibility if they wanted to continue their pursuit of Martinez, who they view as a designated hitter who can also play some outfield.

As of yesterday, the Sox payroll for luxury tax purposes was around $205 million, easily past the $197 million luxury tax threshold but still far from the $237 million mark. If the Red Sox are over $237 million, they would lose 10 spots on their first draft choice as well as forfeit international bonus money.