The World Baseball Classic dominated headlines and social media this spring, pushing most camp battles into the background. Boston sent 13 players from its major league roster to the tournament, giving Alex Coraand the front office an extended look at younger players competing for roster spots.
On Saturday, the infield picture came into focus when Cora named Marcelo Mayer the Red Sox’ starting second baseman. From the start of camp, Cora made it clear Mayer would have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster — and he did. He’s expected to platoon with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio, primarily avoiding left-handed pitching.
While Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreugrabbed attention on the international stage, several other storylines quietly developed in Red Sox camp.
Here’s a look at the remaining decisions that will be finalized in the coming days before Boston opens the season in Cincinnati.
Kristian Campbell Back to the Minors
One year after making the Red Sox Opening Day roster and signing an eight-year, $60-million extension, Kristian Campbellis heading back to the minors.
Campbell struggled in the big leagues last season and ultimately finished 2025 with Triple-A Worcester. With camp winding down, Boston informed the 23-year-old he will once again open the year with the WooSox.
The move isn’t surprising. Boston’s outfield is crowded, and Campbell remains a below-average defender in the infield, leaving no clear path to everyday playing time on the major league roster.
That said, the Red Sox haven’t given up on him. Campbell’s spring left more questions than answers, as he hit .220 with one home run, four RBI, 11 strikeouts and a .646 OPS across 46 plate appearances.
“You’ve got to get back to the big leagues. You’ve got to play better," Cora said. “There’s a few things he did in camp, and some he didn’t. He didn’t walk as often and struck out a lot. That’s not him. We just have to keep working together. At the end, he said it — ‘It’s up to me to get back here.’”
Kristian Campbell on feeling good at the plate with his new mechanics and some of the weight he put on this offseason. 1-for-2 day with an RBI single and a sac fly. Drove a couple balls to deep CF and the triangle. Lots of ABs coming this spring. pic.twitter.com/1IS2Aa0Wmy— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 20, 2026
Boston entered 2026 with a more defined development plan for Campbell, focusing on improving his defense across all three outfield spots while reworking his swing and adding strength.
He spent the offseason in Puerto Rico playing winter ball, where Red Sox coaches worked closely with him on his mechanics. In 14 games, he hit .245/.403/.367 (.771 OPS) with four doubles, a triple, six RBI, 12 strikeouts and 13 walks. He also put together a seven-game hitting streak, slashing .308/.455/.500 during that stretch.
But those adjustments didn’t fully translate this spring. Campbell rarely walked and showed an uptick in swing-and-miss.
“We have to get the offense going,” Cora said. “There were some things we felt comfortable with, but the strikeouts were going up and the walks were going down. That’s not him. He’s a guy who controls the strike zone, and that didn’t happen during camp.”
Kristian Campbell with a bloop double into right-center. He's back in CF this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/zWPTbTheGr— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 21, 2026
It’s fair to question whether the Red Sox accelerated Campbell’s timeline too quickly after his breakout minor league season. The emphasis on reworking his swing also raises questions about what may have been missed during his rise through the system.
For Campbell, the focus now is simple getting consistent at-bats and playing into with the WooSox. Boston needs to settle on a defensive home for him so he can fully lock in at the plate.
“We will help him. He’s going to get his at-bats,” Cora said. “He’s going to play the majority of his games in the outfield.
“He’ll be fine, but you’ve got to go down there and show people you’re the best athlete on the team and the best player on the team.”
The Rotation
Boston is set to open the season in Cincinnati with Garrett Crochet on Opening Day, followed by Sonny Gray, with Johan Oviedoexpected to start the series finale.
Brayan Bello was initially in line for that third game, but he’ll now be pushed back and is expected to pitch in the following series against Houston alongside Ranger Suárez. Both pitchers are being eased in after their workloads in the World Baseball Classic, as the Red Sox look to build them back up.
“This is a marathon, not a sprint, so I think it’s the best way to prevent injuries,” Cora said.
That shift opens the door for Oviedo to claim the No. 5 starter role, despite strong springs from Connelly Early and Payton Tolle. Boston could still carry one of those arms as a bulk innings option, especially if Bello or Suárez are limited early on.
Kyle Kelleris another candidate for that role, potentially providing length out of the bullpen to help bridge the gap during the first few turns through the rotation.
“We might have to make decisions based on that — how many multi-inning guys we need to help them throughout the first two or three turns,” Cora said.
The Red Sox will also have veteran depth in Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval, both of whom threw on the backfields on Wednesday as they continue to build up. Either could factor into Boston’s rotation plans at some point in April if needed.
Crochet’s Tough Spring
At the end of the day, spring training stats don’t mean much, but that won’t stop fans from glancing at Crochet’s 7.36 ERA and raising an eyebrow.
A year ago, Crochet dominated camp, allowing just one earned run while striking out 30 over 15 1/3 innings. He then opened the season against Texas by giving up two runs over five innings. This year, he’s hoping for the reverse.
“Last year: good spring, bad first start,” Crochet said. “This year: bad spring… I can only hope.”
To be clear, neither Crochet nor the Red Sox are concerned. The reigning American League Cy Young runner-up wrapped up his spring Saturday against Atlanta, allowing six runs on six hits, including a home run to Austin Riley, while striking out three over 5 1/3 innings.
“I feel like it’s been the story of my spring,” Crochet said. “The line looks uglier than how it felt. It feels uglier than what I felt like I deserved. Whatever.”
Cora noted that Crochet’s main issue has been finishing at-bats — something that wasn’t a problem last season.
Garrett Crochet, Nasty 93mph Cutter...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/r3zywcGsJM— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 21, 2026
“We were ahead in counts. We just didn’t finish them,” Cora said. “He got his reps. He touched the sixth inning, which is good enough for us. Now he’ll be ready for Cincinnati.
“I’m not concerned. I’m excited about him going out there for 30-plus outings, then pitching in October and helping us win a World Series.”
Crochet is now focused on Opening Day against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Last season, Cincinnati got to him for five runs on eight hits over six innings in a Red Sox win.
“Nothing’s really changing for me mindset-wise,” Crochet said. “Today felt like a step forward. But at some point, you’ve just got to go out there and do it. That’s how I feel right now.”
Boston’s ceiling this season is tied closely to Crochet. Spring numbers may not matter, but when he takes the ball on Opening Day, all eyes will be on how he sets the tone.
The Health of Triston Casas
Not many fans are focused on Triston Casasright now, and that might not be a bad thing.
Casas enters 2026 at a crossroads, working his way back from a ruptured patellar tendon with no clear role waiting for him. Willson Contreras is locked in at first base, while Masataka Yoshida and a crowded group fill the designated hitter spot.
Once Casas is ready to return to game action, he’s likely to spend time at Triple-A Worcester. That gives Boston the opportunity to slow-play his return, ensure he’s fully healthy, and allow him to focus on getting back into a rhythm at the plate while reestablishing himself defensively at first base.
Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon while running out a ground ball on May 2, requiring season-ending surgery. He has spent the offseason rehabbing with the goal of returning early in the 2026 season.
The first baseman is expected to complete a full 20-game rehab assignment in the minors before rejoining the big league roster.
Around the League
Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortizhave been moved from MLB’s paid administrative leave to unpaid, non-disciplinary leave, according to ESPN.
Both have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud and bribery charges tied to an alleged pitch-fixing scheme, in which they are accused of throwing specific pitches at predetermined times to benefit gamblers. More than $450,000 in wagers have reportedly been linked to the case.
There’s been significant buzz around Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, and for good reason, but the 19-year-old will begin the season in the minors. Griffin hit .171 with a .749 OPS in 16 spring games.
"I think you see a young kid that was maybe pressing just a little bit and trying really hard," Pirates manager Don Kelly said. "Konnor Griffin the person is elite. Allowing him to go and get back to basics and being Konnor Griffin out there (could help). We know there's an elite talent level that comes with him. Just looking forward to him being in Pittsburgh whenever that time comes."
Pittsburgh has also discussed a potential long-term extension with Griffin, reportedly in the range of nine years and north of $100 million.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies continue to lock up their rotation. Just weeks after extending Jesús Luzardo, they agreed to a six-year deal with Cristopher Sánchez. The 29-year-old went 13–5 with a 2.50 ERA in 32 starts last season, finishing second to Paul Skenesin NL Cy Young voting, and is expected to start on Opening Day.
Randy Arozarena has apologized to Mariners teammate Cal Raleighfollowing their viral World Baseball Classic exchange earlier this month.
Arozarena issued a statement Saturday saying the two have cleared the air and remain close.
“I don’t want this to be a distraction,” Arozarena said. “Cal and I have talked and I apologized for what I said after the game. Nothing in the WBC changes the fact that we’re brothers and teammates.”
The incident stemmed from a moment at the plate when Raleigh declined to shake Arozarena’s hand before an at-bat, prompting an emotional, expletive-laced response from Arozarena afterward.
Raleigh downplayed the situation, emphasizing there’s no lingering tension.
“We talked it out… we’re in a good spot,” Raleigh said. “He’s a brother, and we’re not carrying this forward.”
Meanwhile, the Cubs will be without Seiya Suzukito start the season after he suffered a minor ligament strain in his right knee during the WBC.
Suzuki was injured on a headfirst slide during Japan’s quarterfinal loss to Venezuela and had to exit the game shortly after.
The 31-year-old is entering the final season of his five-year, $85 million deal and is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he hit .269 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI.
