Boston Red Sox

Red Sox Place Brock Holt on Disabled List with Vertigo

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:11 a.m. ET

Fansided, David Hill/FanSided via Call to the Pen

We have all had moments of vertigo, but if those feelings persist, they can be debilitating. That is what Red Sox utility man Brock Holt is having to deal with, as he has been placed on the disabled list.

Ever stand up too quickly after sitting down for a while? That feeling of dizziness and being light headed is vertigo. Typically, it goes away after a few moments, but occasionally, those feelings can persist. If that happens, these feelings of vertigo can be completely debilitating.

Red Sox utility man Brock Holt is dealing with the more severe version of the illness. After saying that he did not feel right beginning with Boston's series against Detroit, his conditions have worsened. With that being the case, the Red Sox have placed Holt on the disabled list.

The #RedSox today activated OF Jackie Bradley Jr. from the 10-day DL and placed INF/OF Brock Holt on the 10-day DL with vertigo. pic.twitter.com/G2K0d8mf7U

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 21, 2017

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As vertigo is worsened by head movement, it can be a difficult thing to play through. Although Holt attempted to do just that, one has to wonder if this illness is to blame for his struggles thus far. He has produced an uncharacteristic .133/.316/.133 batting line, striking out seven times in 19 plate appearances.

Holt, for his part, claims that he just feels a bit dizzy and lightheaded. While that may not seem serious, the fact that this has persisted for as long as it has is worrisome. Vertigo can be an illness that someone never recovers from. Just look at Nick Esasky, who was a prized free agent signing by the Braves, but was forced into retirement by vertigo after playing just nine games in 1990.

Obviously, Holt is not yet approaching the same level of concern one had with Esasky. And yet, Esasky is there to remind us that, while we all suffer from occasional bouts of vertigo, it can be far more serious than we can imagine. Hopefully for Holt, rest will be exactly what he needs, and he can return to his place as a super utility player. Otherwise, he may be suffering these effects for quite some time.

The Red Sox have placed Brock Holt on the disabled list with vertigo. Hopefully, it is just a temporary problem, and he can get back on the field soon.