How Alex Cora Reacted To Red Sox Signing Nathaniel Lowe
'He's excited to be here'
Alex Cora has another veteran to work into his deep Boston Red Sox lineup.
Boston officially signed Nathaniel Lowe on Monday. The first baseman joins the Red Sox for a playoff push after getting released by the Washington Nationals, where he batted .216/.292/.373.
Cora addressed the team’s newest addition before Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. The manager noted, per WEEI’s Tom Carroll, that Lowe played for a Texas Rangers squad that won the 2023 World Series and could benefit from hitting at Fenway Park.
“Been there, done that,” Cora said of Lowe’s experience. “He was part of the Rangers when they won. An up and down season for him with the Nationals … He’s excited to be here.”
Cora revealed his plans for the left-handed Lowe, who has a .732 OPS against right-handed pitchers and .516 OPS against southpaws in 2025.
“We’ll use him against righties, certain lefties, pinch-hit late,” Cora said. “We’ll maximize the roster.”
The Red Sox placed Rob Refsnyder on the injured list when adding Lowe, but the 30-year-old will platoon with the right-handed Abraham Toro at first base. Toro is starting Monday’s game against the left-handed Trevor Rogers. Cora also told reporters that Romy González will start at second base against lefties.
“We can mix and match throughout the game, so we feel comfortable where we’re at,” Cora said.
Lowe struggled mightily before his release, batting .160 with two home runs in 22 games after the All-Star break. Yet he’s a career .263/.346/.424 hitter who delivered a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) above the league-average 100 mark in each of his prior six seasons.
If he doesn’t come off the bench Monday, Lowe could make his Red Sox debut when they face Orioles righty Tomoyuki Sugano on Tuesday night.
