The Boston Red Sox have added a little bit of pop at first base, with the team signing veteran Nathaniel Lowe on Monday. 

Lowe was designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals last Thursday and cleared waivers over the weekend, opening the door for the 30-year-old first baseman to join the Red Sox. He will likely play first when Boston faces right-handed pitching, with Romy Gonzalez getting the nod when there's a left-hander pitching against the Red Sox.

"It's so exciting," Lowe said of joining the Red Sox. "Getting plugged into a lineup that is having great success and making a great postseason push is what it's all about. It's a true blessing to be here."

Lowe got a first-hand look at the Boston offense back in early July, when the Red Sox outscored the Nationals, 27-9, over a three-game sweep in Washington D.C. 

"I was on the wrong side of a really lopsided series in July. It's nice to join a team that spanked us the way they did for those three days, and it's nice to call these guys teammates now," added Lowe.

Who is Nathaniel Lowe? 

Lowe is in his seventh season in the big leagues, but struggled through his lone season with the Nationals. He was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the offseason and landed a one-year, $10.3 million deal with Washington in arbitration, but slashed just .216/.292/.373 with 17 doubles, 16 homers, and 68 RBI over 490 at-bats with the Nationals. 

Lowe has been better against right-handed pitching this season, with a .732 OPS and 14 of his home runs. He hit just .174 with a .516 OPS in his 82 games against lefties. He really fell off over the last six weeks though, with Lowe slashing just .205/.278/.341 in his 24 games in July before he went just 3-for-33 in August. 

"I'd like to have amnesia and kind of wipe it from my memory," Lowe said of his 2025 season thus far. "There are still some bright spots and things I can hang my hat on, but so much room for improvement. And there's a lot of time left for this team to do something special."

But Lowe will bring postseason experience and a World Series ring to Boston, after he was a key bat for the Rangers in the team's 2023 championship run. Lowe hit just .212 that postseason, but he clubbed a pair of homers in the ALCS against the Houston Astros, which the Rangers won in seven games. Lowe hit three homers, two doubles, and drove in six runs that October for Texas, as the Rangers went on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games.

"You throw your personal stats aside and the only thing that matters is winning that day," Lowe said of his mindset in the playoffs. "Playing that brand of baseball down the stretch and in the postseason is what is most important, and it's addicting. The point of the whole thing is winning the whole thing, and we'd like to think there's a chance to do that here."

Lowe has slashed .263/.346/.424 for his career. His best season came in 2022 with the Rangers, when he hit a career-best .302 to go with 27 home runs, 26 doubles, and 76 RBI. 

How will Nathaniel Lowe fit with Red Sox?

Since Triston Casas was lost for the season back in May, the Red Sox have relied on a platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy Gonzalez at first base. Gonzalez has been excellent all season against left-handed pitching and will remain in the lineup when a southpaw is on the mound, either at first base or second base.

Lowe and his left-handed bat will likely take over against righties for the struggling Toro, who started out hot but has slashed just .164/.224/.284 over his last 21 games. 

"I get a chance to try to contribute to winning baseball, so that's all I can ask for," Lowe said of signing with Boston. 

He also fell in love with Fenway Park when he came to town as a visitor. 

"The game-day environment is so great. Seeing this team win and being a part of something like that is so attractive," Lowe said Monday. "There was a need for first base and I like to think I can plug myself in and contribute."

The Red Sox start a quick two-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Monday. With lefty Trevor Rodgers on the hill for Baltimore, Toro is at first base with Gonzalez manning second for Boston for the series opener.

To make room for Lowe in Boston, the Red Sox placed outfielder Rob Refsnyder on the 10-Day IL with a left oblique strain, which is retroactive to Aug. 15. In addition, Boston also designated catcher Ali Sanchez for assignment and recalled infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

The Red Sox are currently 68-57 on the season and tied with the Seattle Mariners for the top American League Wild Card spot. Both teams sit 0.5 games ahead of the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card standings.