After agreeing to a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox, former Cincinnati Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips appeared in his first three games with the Lowell Spinners of the Class A Short Season New York–Penn League July 7-9.
Phillips made a splash in his first game, going 2-for-5 in a 3-1 loss to Hudson Valley July 7. He followed that up with a 3-run home run the next night in a 10-5 loss to Hudson Valley. He finished up the series going hitless the next night in a 9-6 win.
He was the designated hitter his first game back before moving back to his customary spot at second base for the final two games.