Red Sox ink Punto to two-year deal

Veteran infielder Nick Punto signed a two-year deal worth $3 million plus $500,000 in incentives with the Red Sox on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network and CBS Sports.

Punto, a member of the 2011 World Series Champion Cardinals, instantly fills an infield void created earlier Wednesday afternoon when Boston sent infielder Jed Lowrie to Houston along with right-hander Kyle Weiland in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon.

Punto returns to the American League after spending one year in the Senior Circuit with the Cardinals. The 34-year-old enters his 12th season in the big leagues. He hit .278 with one home and 20 RBIs in 63 games with the Cardinals last season.

Punto is a career .249 hitter with 14 home runs and 218 RBI in 887 career games.

- Jon Star