updated 6:46 p.m. ET March 24, 2006

FORT MYERS, Florida - Boston claimed Hee-Seop Choi off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, giving the Red Sox another first basemen to back up starter Kevin Youkilis.

Choi, who began last season as the Dodgers’ regular first baseman and played in a career-high 133 games, became expendable after Los Angeles signed former Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to play first.

Youkilis, a converted third baseman, has played well at his new position. The Red Sox also have J.T. Snow, another lefty-hitting first baseman.

“We have liked Choi for a long time and view this as an opportunity to acquire him when his value is down a bit,” Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. “We like his power, his patience and his hands at first base. Choi provides depth for us at first base and in a way third base as well, considering Kevin Youkilis’ ability to play both positions.”

Mike Lowell, who won a Gold Glove at third base last year with Florida, is Boston’s starter but is coming off a poor season at the plate.

“We’ll see how our roster shakes out, but Choi does have minor league options if we want him to get every day at-bats in Triple-A for a period of time,” Epstein said.

Choi, a 27-year-old native of South Korea, has a career batting average of .240 with 40 home runs, 120 RBIs and a .349 on-base percentage in 363 games. He hit .253 last year with career highs of 81 hits and 42 RBIs. He also had 15 homers for the second consecutive season, three coming in one game against Minnesota last June 12.

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Choi became the first Korean-born position player to play in the majors on Sept. 8, 2002 with the Chicago Cubs.

In the World Baseball Classic, Choi’s three-run homer off Dan Wheeler helped South Korea beat the United States 7-3 on March 13.

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