Red Sox acquire infielder McDonald from Phillies

The Red Sox acquired utility infielder and longtime Major Leaguer John McDonald, as well cash considerations, from the Phillies in exchange for Minor League right-handed pitcher Nefi Ogando on Saturday night.

Playing in New England will be a return home, of sorts, for McDonald, 38, who is a New London, Conn., native and Providence College graduate.

Manager John Farrell said before Saturday's game against the White Sox that the team would look to call up an infielder when rosters expand Sunday, and McDonald seems to fit that bill perfectly. He has played mostly shortstop (19 games) and third base (16 games) while also seeing time at second (five games) this season.

McDonald owns a .098 average with a .179 OBP and .164 slugging mark in 68 plate appearances in 2013, collecting one double and one home run. In 999 Major League games, McDonald is a career .235/.274/.327 hitter.

The Red Sox will be the seventh different organization in McDonald's 15 seasons, including his fourth of 2013. He was traded from the D-backs to the Pirates in March, then to the Indians in June before going to the Phillies two and a half weeks later. All three transactions were for a player to be named or cash.

This time, it was for Ogando, a 24-year-old reliever who signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in June 2010. In 33 games for High Class A Salem this season, Ogando owns a 4.09 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across 55 innings.

Right-handed reliever Alex Wilson was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room for McDonald on the 40-man roster.