12 Brock Holt 2B

Holt had a pinch-hit home run to provide the winning margin in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Phillies.

Holt turned on the first pitch from Tommy Hunter, sending it 424 feet off the facade in right field. The blast was not only shocking for its distance but also its timing, coming in the eighth inning of a well-pitched game. Holt has managed to stay relevant in Boston's lineup as injuries continue to dog the infield. He had made five straight starts, hitting safely in each one, before Tuesday. With Ian Kinsler (hamstring) expected to be activated either Wednesday or Friday, Holt's playing time should take a hit. He and Eduardo Nunez are essentially vying for the same opportunities as utility infielders.

Holt started at second base and went 1-for-3 in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Yankees.

Holt got the start at second after Boston placed Ian Kinsler (hamstring) on the disabled list. Immediately after Kinsler was acquired, Holt was moved back to a super-utility role, but he should see regular at-bats at second base while Kinsler is sidelined. Eduardo Nunez could also get starts at second, but for the time being, he's needed to cover for the injured Rafael Devers (hamstring) at third base.

Holt started at shortstop in place of the injured Xander Bogaerts (wrist) and went 0-for-4 in a 15-7 win over the Yankees.

Bogaerts reported the wrist was feeling better the day after getting hit by a pitch and hopes to avoid the disabled list. Holt will man the position until Bogaerts is able to return.

Holt went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk and a stolen base in Monday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Phillies.

Holt got the start at second base, but those opportunities will dry up after Boston traded for Ian Kinsler on Monday. Kinsler, a better defensive second baseman than either Holt or Eduardo Nunez, will be the primary starter there in the absence of Dustin Pedroia (knee), which was confirmed by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Holt and Nunez will return to super-utility roles.

Holt, who missed two games with a knee injury, started at second base Monday and went 0-for-3 with a walk in a 5-3 win over the Orioles.

Holt injured the knee Friday when he was spiked by Detroit's Jeimer Candelario. He's become an important piece for the Red Sox, who face the prospect of being without Dustin Pedroia (knee) for the rest of the season. Holt has also been a more consistent hitter than Pedroia's primary replacement, Eduardo Nunez.