Boston Red Sox: Brock Holt shut down from baseball activity

The Boston Red Sox have officially shut down utility man Brock Holt after another failed rehab attempt.

The Boston Red Sox desperately need help at third base, but it will not come from Brock Holt anytime soon.

The 28-year-old utility player has been suffering bouts of vertigo that have kept him off the field since early April. After a few attempts at rehab with Pawtucket, Holt has been advised by a head trauma specialist to step away from playing for the foreseeable future.

Holt was thought to be on track to return to the club twice earlier this month, but the Red Sox held him back after his vertigo symptoms returned. The team obviously puts Holt’s health first, especially when the concern is with his head. His symptoms have included dizziness and spinning sensations and may be concussion related.

Holt hit .255 with seven home runs and 45 runs batted in last season and only .133 in six games before he was placed on the disabled list.

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Until his symptoms have completely subsided, Holt will not attempt another rehab assignment and will only begin athletic activities when he is cleared by a head trauma specialist.

Who steps up at third?

The Red Sox have been struggling from the third base position, as Holt, Pablo Sandoval, and Marco Hernandez have all spent extended time on the disabled list.

Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero have filled in recently, but Holt’s return would have been a welcome offensive upgrade.

As a whole, the Red Sox have gotten a .233 average and four home runs from their third basemen and have accumulated -0.6 WAR.

Marrero has helped the defense from the position though after his teammates committed thirteen errors at the position before he and Rutledge began platooning.

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With Holt not close to a return, third base could be a position the Red Sox look to upgrade through trades as the summer begins.

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