Brennan Boesch was a productive outfielder for the Detroit Tigers from 2010-12, hitting 42 home runs and twice helping teams make the postseason. He was drafted and developed during Dave Dombrowski’s tenure as president and general manager.
Now Dombrowski is giving Boesch a chance with the Red Sox. Boesch was signed to a one-year, minor league deal that included an invitation to spring training. He would make $1 million in the majors.
The Tigers released Boesch out of spring training in 2013. He has played for the Yankees, Angels, and Reds since, mostly in Triple A.
Boesch, who turns 31 in April, is a lefthanded hitter who has played right and left field in his career with nine games in center. He is a career .250 hitter with a .703 OPS.
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Boesch appeared in 51 games for the Reds last season, hitting .146. He hit .326 in 51 games for Triple A Louisville.
The Red Sox appear set on using Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Rusney Castillo, and Chris Young as their outfielders. Boesch profiles as Triple A depth.
The Red Sox on Wednesday invited seven other nonroster players to spring training.
The group includes outfielder and first baseman Allen Craig, who was outrighted off the major league roster in November. Craig has hit .139 in 65 games for the Sox since being obtained from the Cardinals in 2014. He is under contract for $20 million over the next two seasons.
The Sox also will bring infielder Josh Rutledge, catcher Sandy Leon, and righthanded reliever Roman Mendez to camp. All three spent time in the majors with the Sox last season before being dropped from the 40-man roster.
Three prospects were added to the camp roster. First baseman Sam Travis, 22, hit .307 with an .833 OPS for Single A Salem and Double A Portland last season and followed that up by hitting .344 in the Arizona Fall League.
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Righthanded reliever Kyle Martin, 24 had a 4.50 ERA at Portland last season and had a 2.16 ERA in the AFL.
Lefthander Danny Rosenbaum, 28, was 0-8 with a 5.81 ERA in 15 minor league starts last season in his return from Tommy John surgery. Pitching in relief in the AFL, he allowed one earned run over 10⅔ innings.
To date, the Red Sox spring training roster has 54 players. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 18. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 24.
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @peteabe.