

BOSTON — Brock Holt is becoming more ingrained in the Red Sox’s decision-making. And the Holt effect stretches across multiple levels of the organization.

While the Red Sox aren’t necessarily building around Holt, they are taking into consideration the super utility player’s versatility and success in their roster construction. The development manifested itself again Sunday when Boston claimed infielder Luis Jimenez off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.

The logic behind acquiring Jimenez centered mostly on what the 27-year-old brings to the table. He’s a strong defender, particularly at third base, who can play multiple positions in the infield, inherently giving the Red Sox additional roster flexibility once he joins the major league club, likely Monday.

But acquiring Jimenez wasn’t based entirely on his personal defensive aptitude or Boston’s desire to return to 13 position players with outfielder Shane Victorino still on the disabled list. The Red Sox also took into consideration Holt’s continued strong play, with the idea being that having Jimenez as another utility option allows Boston to use Holt more frequently in right field as Victorino works back to full health.

“It gives us that flexibility, yes,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Sunday’s game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. “I can’t say that that’s the definite approach going forward, but at least it provides the opportunity, or the option, available.”

The Red Sox have been relying on Holt, Daniel Nava and Allen Craig in right field with Victorino sidelined. Craig entered Sunday hitting .135 (5-for-37) with 10 strikeouts in 40 plate appearances this season. Nava sat at .154 (6-for-39) with nine strikeouts in 44 plate appearances. Holt, while most valuable when bouncing around, clearly has been the most productive, hitting .347 (17-for-49) with a .429 on-base percentage in 57 plate appearances.