The Boston Red Sox are at a pivotal point in their season. They are hovering around the .500 mark. The team is undergoing significant changes in its infield. This shift is independent of the highly discussed first base situation.
Alex Bregman Placed on Injured List
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora provided an update. This occurred between games of a doubleheader. The team played the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. Cora informed reporters about Alex Bregman’s condition. Bregman has a “significant injury.” It is similar to a 2021 injury. He missed over two months with the Houston Astros then.
Cora did not provide a specific timeline for his return. Later on Saturday, the club formally announced the news. The star third baseman was placed on the 10-day injured list. He suffered a right quad strain.
Manager’s Outlook on Bregman’s Recovery
“We have hope in our medical staff,” Cora stated. This was after Saturday’s 6-5 victory in the opener. “Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later, but he is going to be out for a while.” This injury halts a standout first season for Bregman, 31. He signed with the Red Sox during spring training. Bregman has an MVP-caliber bat.
It often rescued a struggling lineup this season. Before the injury, Bregman was hitting .299. He had 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. The injury required an MRI on Saturday. Before the win, Cora told reporters the injury felt “worse” than Bregman expected.
Marcelo Mayer Called Up to Fill In
With an infield spot suddenly open, the Red Sox made a significant move. They called up Marcelo Mayer. Mayer is currently ranked as the No. 6 prospect in baseball. He represents a central part of the team’s future. The Red Sox hope he can contribute to their postseason push this year.
Mayer’s Versatility and Triple-A Performance
The 22-year-old Mayer has excelled at shortstop. He climbed through the Red Sox’s farm system. Boston drafted him as the No. 4 pick in 2021. However, he will not be limited to one position in the big leagues. “He is going to play,” Cora confirmed. Mayer was slotted at third base for Saturday’s nightcap. “We’ll play him everywhere,” Cora added. “He can play second, he can play short, he can play third. Obviously, he can swing the bat well, and he’s a good baserunner. We will use him.”
At Triple-A Worcester, Mayer showed his versatility. He played four games at third base. He was hitting .271/.347/.471. He also had nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 43 games. Mayer could also see time at shortstop. Trevor Story is in a profound, month-long slump. Second base is also an option, as Cora mentioned.
Impact on the Red Sox Prospect Landscape
Mayer’s arrival marks the second of Boston’s “big three” prospects to reach the MLB. Kristian Campbell earned the second-base job in spring training. After a strong start, Campbell has also struggled. He entered Saturday hitting .225/.321/.369. The third top prospect is outfielder Roman Anthony. He is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in MLB by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel. Anthony was hitting .323/.455/.513 at Triple-A entering Saturday. He had six home runs and 18 RBIs.
Rafael Devers’ Role and First Base Situation
Cora addressed Rafael Devers’ potential role. Before the doubleheader, he quickly answered “no.” He was asked if Devers, the designated hitter, was an immediate option for third base. Devers is a natural third baseman. He was replaced by Bregman in spring training. Devers has expressed defiance about playing first base for the Red Sox. “We made a decision in the offseason and this is where we’re going,” Cora stated about making Devers a DH. “There are a few things that we took into consideration and I think we’ve been very consistent with it.”
The Red Sox previously lost first baseman Triston Casas for the season. He ruptured a tendon in his left knee. The team has struggled to find a productive replacement. This has amplified calls for the team to use its strong minor league depth.
Mayer’s Development and MLB Debut
The Red Sox have been careful with Mayer’s development. Injuries limited his play. He played 91 games in 2022. He played 78 games in 2023. Last year, he played 77 games. He holds a career .273/.360/.466 batting average in 315 minor league games. He is projected to be a middle-of-the-order bat. He is also seen as Boston’s long-term shortstop solution.
In his MLB debut on Saturday night, Mayer hit sixth. He had three strikeouts in four at-bats. The Red Sox lost 2-0. “It was awesome,” Mayer said about the loud ovation he received. Fans cheered him at Fenway Park. This happened when he first stepped into the batter’s box. “I’ve never experienced anything like that before in my life. I actually just got done texting my friends and parents about that moment. That’s something I’ll remember the rest of my life.”
Future Infield Outlook
Bregman’s contract includes an opt-out clause. This is after the 2025 season. This opens the possibility of Mayer shifting to third base permanently. Mayer is 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. He has the size and arm strength typically desired for the position. However, his glove at shortstop is considered above-average. Boston might choose to move Trevor Story from shortstop for Mayer. Ceddanne Rafaela, who also plays center field, is another option.
“This is significant, just like Triston,” Cora said about Bregman’s absence. He also commented on how the infield now looks. “They are two good players who we’re going to miss. But if we really believe that we’re good, we have to keep going and keep playing good baseball, and keep winning games.” The Red Sox will need to rely on their depth and resilience.
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