Dodgers acquired INF Nick Punto, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Josh Beckett, OF Carl Crawford and cash considerations from the Red Sox for 1B James Loney, RHP Allan Webster, INF Ivan DeJesus Jr. and two players to be named later. Punto is somewhat of a misfit in the blockbuster haul for the Dodgers, but he stands to get a decent amount of playing time all over the Los Angeles infield down the stretch. He was hitting .200/.301/.272 with one home run and 10 RBI in 148 plate appearances for Boston. The 34-year-old won a World Series ring last season with the Cardinals.

Nick Punto went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over the Blue Jays on Saturday. A big game for Punto, who entered Saturday's action batting just .132 (7-for-53) over his first 29 games this year. His ninth-inning solo homer -- a long blast to the second deck in right field -- was just the 15th home run of his career. The 34-year-old will have some fleeting relevancy in AL-only leagues while Dustin Pedroia (thumb) is sidelined, but he's not going to have many better days than this one.

Nick Punto was hitless in four at-bats and struck out twice from the leadoff spot in Saturday's loss to the Orioles. Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine hit Punto leadoff once last month, and that worked out well. This time, not so much. The scrappy infielder is now batting just .148 in 27 at-bats and has tallied just one extra-base hit. His last base knock came on April 10.

Nick Punto is starting at third base Monday. Kevin Youkilis is getting the day off due to mild groin soreness. Punto, who signed a two-year, $3 million deal in the winter, is off to a 4-for-10 start this season.

Nick Punto will miss the Red Sox' next two Grapefruit League games due to mild soreness in his back. They're both road contests, and the Red Sox don't want put Punto through two long bus trips. "Five hours on a bus isn't necessarily exactly the program we want him on," manager Bobby Valentine told reporters Tuesday. Punto is a lock for a utility infield job this season after agreeing to a two-year, $3 million contract in December.

Red Sox signed INF Nick Punto to a two-year, $3 million contract. Punto will serve as an active utilityman in 2012 for the Red Sox after posting a strong .278/.388/.421 batting line over 166 plate appearances this past year for the Cardinals. A glove-first player, he won't carry any kind of fantasy value in Boston.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox have signed infielder Nick Punto to a two-year, $3 million contract. The Red Sox didn't wait long to fill Jed Lowrie's spot on the bench. The 34-year-old was limited to just 63 games in 2011 due to injury, but batted .278/.388/.421 with an .809 OPS over 166 plate appearances with the Cardinals. Known as a skilled defender, Punto should do well as a backup at shortstop, second base and the hot corner. He can earn an additional $500,000 with incentives.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Nick Punto is "at or near the top" of the Braves' list in their quest to find a utility infielder. Punto played well for the Cardinals in 2011 when he was healthy, as he hit .278/.388/.421 with one home run, 20 RBI and an .809 OPS over 166 plate appearances. He was also lauded for his clubhouse presence. The Cards are interested in bringing him back, but Punto should have a few options.

Cardinals general manager told B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest that the club has interest in retaining infielder Nick Punto. Punto was limited to just 63 games this season due to injury, but batted .278/.388/.421 with one home run, 20 RBI, a 21/25 K/BB ratio and an .809 OPS over 166 plate appearances. The 34-year-old is a skilled defender at second base, shortstop and the hot corner, so he is likely to draw interest from several teams.

Nick Punto will start at second base Thursday in Game 6 of the World Series against the Rangers. Punto is just 6-for-32 (.188) this postseason, but he's the Cardinals' best defensive option at second base. He'll be facing right-hander Colby Lewis on Thursday night.