The Boston Red Sox are signing slugging first baseman Nathanial Lowe after he had been designated for assignment by the Nationals last week in favor of younger players, ESPN.com reported. Lowe, 30, will join one of the most potent offenses in baseball with Boston in the midst of a tight American League playoff race.

The Boston Red Sox signed first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to a one-year contract Monday, two days after he was released by the Washington Nationals. To make room on the roster, the Red Sox placed outfielder Rob Refsnyder on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle on his left side.