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Kutter Crawford Kutter Crawford Throws bullpen session Fri, Feb 21, 2025, 10:31 AM Crawford (knee) threw a bullpen session Friday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Crawford has been eased into things early on in Red Sox camp as he tries to get past patellar tendon soreness, and it's a good sign that he's been cleared for mound work. The right-hander should have enough time to ramp up before Opening Day as he looks to lock down a rotation spot.
Matt Moore Matt Moore Goes to Boston as NRI Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 12:10 PM The Red Sox signed Moore to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. Analysis: The Red Sox were looking for some left-handed relief depth with Zach Penrod going down with an elbow injury. Moore is coming back from an injury of his own, having missed the final month of last season with a left forearm strain. However, the southpaw has been throwing this offseason without any apparent issues, per Bradford. Moore held a 5.03 ERA and 41:26 over 48.1 frames with the Angels in 2024, but he was very effective from 2022 to 2023 with a 2.20 ERA and 27.4 percent strikeout rate. If heathy, the 35-year-old should have a good shot to make Boston's Opening Day roster.
Zach Penrod Zach Penrod Gets MRI on elbow Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 11:24 AM Penrod is dealing with a sore left elbow and was sent in for an MRI on Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Analysis: The Red Sox will wait on the results of the MRI before a prognosis is made available, but at the very least, Penrod will likely be shut down for a few days. The 27-year-old southpaw made seven appearances in relief for Boston last September and is competing for a spot in the big club's Opening Day bullpen.
Lucas Giolito Lucas Giolito Live BP coming soon Thu, Feb 20, 2025, 9:41 AM Giolito (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first live batting practice session of the spring in the coming days, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Giolito is a few days behind the Red Sox' other starting pitchers as he comes back from an internal brace procedure, but he has already thrown several bullpen sessions. The expectation is that the right-hander will be ready to go for Opening Day, and he should open the season in Boston's rotation, particularly if the club elects to go with a six-man setup.
Rafael Devers Rafael Devers Still building up shoulder strength Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 2:53 PM Devers has been doing separate infield and cage work away from other Red Sox players as he continues to build up strength following last year's shoulder injuries, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Devers had problems with both shoulders during the 2024 season, although his left (non-throwing) shoulder was considered to be the bigger issue. He avoided surgery but is being eased into action this spring. Devers is expected to begin regular workouts with the team next week, and if that happens as scheduled, injury concerns should dissipate. However, if he's delayed, it will be time to raise a red flag. Earlier this week, Devers expressed an unwillingness to move off third base this season to accommodate Alex Bregman, but the 28-year-old could wind up at designated hitter even if that's not his preference.
Rob Refsnyder Rob Refsnyder Free of restrictions in camp Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 11:33 AM Refsnyder (forearm) took live batting practice against Red Sox right-hander Zack Kelly during Wednesday's full-squad workout, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Analysis: Refsnyder slugged a home run to right-center as part of his round of BP, an indication that he's moved past the right forearm strain that caused him to finish last season on the injured list. Before being shut down, Refsnyder was productive at the dish when called upon, slashing .283/.359/.471 with 11 home runs and two stolen bases over 306 plate appearances. The right-handed-hitting Refsnyder should get regular playing time versus left-handed pitching in 2025, most likely occupying the weak side of platoon in right field alongside Wilyer Abreu (illness).
Triston Casas Triston Casas Not planned for platoon Wed, Feb 19, 2025, 8:34 AM Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Casas will start against lefties and righties in 2025, Christoper Smith of Mass Live reports. Analysis: Casas dealt with a nagging rib injury in 2024 and played just 63 games. He finished up the campaign regularly sitting against left-handers and batting down the order. A career line of .227/.350/.422 against southpaws makes him a candidate for a platoon, but Cora will apparently give Casas a chance against all opposing starters. The 25-year-old first baseman said he had a "really good offseason" in terms of conditioning and wants to move back to the middle of the order.
Liam Hendriks Liam Hendriks Fastball showing promise in live BP Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 12:34 PM Hendriks was sitting at 93-94 mph during a live batting practice session Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Hendriks was averaging less than 93 mph during his brief rehab assignment last season, so the velocity he's displaying early in spring training, while down considerably from his 97.6 mph average fastball speed during his last healthy season in 2022, seems fairly encouraging. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Hendriks' velocity is "trending up," per Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub, and he believes it will continue to tick up as Opening Day draws nearer. Hendriks is competing with Aroldis Chapman, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten for Boston's closer job.
Masataka Yoshida Masataka Yoshida Expects to be ready for Opening Day Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 12:20 PM Yoshida (shoulder) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for Opening Day, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Analysis: Yoshida seemed less sure of his Opening Day availability at the Red Sox' Fan Fest in January, but as camp kicks off he appears confident he and his surgically repaired right shoulder will be ready. What role Yoshida will ultimately fill is in question. He had been pegged for designated hitter, but the Red Sox could prefer to use Rafael Devers in that spot while Alex Bregman takes over at third base. Yoshida has also been on the trade block this offseason, but so far Boston hasn't found any takers.
Wilyer Abreu Wilyer Abreu Battling illness Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 12:14 PM Abreu was held out of workouts Tuesday due to illness, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports. Analysis: He's expected to be back in action in a day or two. Abreu is slated to serve as Boston's regular right fielder against right-handed pitching in 2025 after slashing .253/.322/.459with 15 home runs across 132 games last season.
Adam Ottavino Adam Ottavino Returns as NRI Tue, Feb 18, 2025, 8:10 AM Ottavino agreed Tuesday with the Red Sox on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. Analysis: Ottavino pitched for the Red Sox in 2021 prior to spending the last three seasons with the Mets. The veteran reliever held a 4.34 ERA and 70:23 K:BB over 56 innings for New York in 2024 and did not pitch for them in the playoffs. Ottavino can still get right-handed batters out (.536 OPS in 2024) and miss bats (28.6 percent strikeout rate), giving the 39-year-old a decent chance to crack Boston's Opening Day bullpen.
Trayce Thompson Trayce Thompson Lands NRI deal Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 2:36 PM Thompson agreed to a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: A career .212/.300/.411 hitter over parts of seven big-league seasons, Thompson spent all of the 2024 season at the Triple-A level, producing a .768 OPS with 23 homers. Slated to turn 34 in March, Thompson is likely to begin the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Worcester, where he'll give Boston some veteran outfield depth.
Rafael Devers Rafael Devers Expresses unwillingness to DH Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 11:56 AM Devers said Monday that he views himself as a third baseman and would be unwilling to serve as a designated hitter in 2025, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. "Third base is my position. I don't know what [the team's] plans are. I made it clear my desires and whatever happens, we'll see," Devers said through a translator. Analysis: Devers has made 942 of his 951 career MLB starts at third base, but his poor defense at the hot corner had already called into question his long-term future at the position, and the Red Sox's signing of Alex Bregman last week has only further fueled the notion that Boston is looking to move Devers off third base. Manager Alex Cora has yet to make any formal pronouncements about the makeup of the Boston infield for 2025, as the possibility exists that Bregman could be used at second base to keep Devers at his normal position. However, prospect Kristian Campbell has worked out exclusively at the keystone so far during camp and could eventually settle in as a full-time regular at the position whenever Boston deems him big-league ready. Whether he stays at third base or is eventually asked to move to DH or first base, Devers should retain a spot in the heart of the Red Sox lineup, coming off a 2024 season in which he hit. 272 with 28 home runs, 83 RBI and 87 runs over 138 games.
Patrick Sandoval Patrick Sandoval Goes to 60-day IL Mon, Feb 17, 2025, 9:07 AM The Red Sox placed Sandoval (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday. Analysis: Sandoval's move to the 60-day IL opened up a spot on the 40-man roster for infielder Alex Bregman, whom the Red Sox officially signed to a three-year, $120 million contract. After he was non-tendered by the Angels early in the offseason, Sandoval caught on with the Red Sox in December on a two-year, $18.25 million contract. Sandoval underwent internal brace surgery on his left elbow in June and is unlikely to be ready to contribute for the Red Sox until the second half of the 2025 season.
Walker Buehler Walker Buehler Throws live BP Sun, Feb 16, 2025, 9:18 AM Buehler threw his first live batting practice Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Analysis: Boston manager Alex Cora was pleased with the session, noting Buehler's volume of strikes. The right-hander is coming off a rough regular season with the Dodgers, but he was effective during the postseason and hopes to build off that.
Alex Bregman Alex Bregman Has first workout Sun, Feb 16, 2025, 9:07 AM Bregman (elbow) took part in his first workout with Boston on Saturday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. After signing a three-year deal in the morning, Bregman took batting practice on the back fields and participated in infield drills. Analysis: Bregman was alongside third baseman Rafael Devers during infield drills, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora was not ready to declare which position Bregman will play in 2025. "He's a Gold Glove third baseman. He hasn't played (much) second base in the big leagues. I do believe he can be a Gold Glove second baseman too," Cora said. "Like I said, there's other stuff that comes into play as far as roster construction and what's better for the team and what can be the best lineup, and competition comes into play." The manager said Bregman will hit within the top three spots in the order, which likely means second or third, as Jarren Duran is projected to lead off.
Brayan Bello Brayan Bello Managing sore shoulder Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 11:01 AM Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Bello was shut down for a few days due to shoulder soreness but has resumed throwing, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: It's encouraging that the right-hander is already back to throwing, but any arm issues early in camp are a concerning development. There's no indication that Bello's availability for the start of the regular season has been affected, but it's worth keeping an eye on his progress as spring games get underway.
Kutter Crawford Kutter Crawford Nursing patellar tendon soreness Fri, Feb 14, 2025, 10:08 AM Crawford is behind schedule due to patellar tendon soreness, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Analysis: The knee soreness for Crawford cropped up at some point during the offseason. It's not clear at this point how long he might be set back, but the Red Sox believe there's a good chance Crawford will be ready in time for Opening Day. If healthy, the right-hander is expected to be part of the Red Sox' rotation.
Vaughn Grissom Vaughn Grissom Has minor-league options Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 7:07 AM Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman will impact Grissom, who has minor-league options remaining, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. If the Red Sox deploy Bregman at second base, then the team could option Grissom to the minors without exposing him to waivers. Analysis: Grissom was the early leader in the competition for the vacant job at second base, which has been in flux since Dustin Pedroia retired. The position seemingly came down to Grissom and prospect Kristian Campbell. If the Red Sox opt to move Bregman to second base, then Grissom could be optioned to Triple-A Worcester to start the 2025 season. If Bregman moves to third base and Rafael Devers to designated hitter or first base, then the Grissom/Campbell competition will be back on.
Rafael Devers Rafael Devers Could be impacted by Bregman Thu, Feb 13, 2025, 6:49 AM Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman could impact Devers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. If Bregman becomes Boston's primary third baseman, then Devers would likely shift to designated hitter or first base. Analysis: While the Bregman deal is not yet official -- it should be in the coming days -- speculation as to how Bregman fits has begun. The easiest path is having Bregman play second base while Devers remains at third; however, Bregman was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2024 and is a better defender than Devers. One scenario involves Boston deploying its best defender at third base, Bregman, and moving Devers to designated hitter or potentially first base. The club has approached Devers about a hypothetical position switch. To make moving Devers feasible, given the current roster alignment, the Red Sox may look to move Masataka Yoshida or Triston Casas.