As much of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut digs out from a historic blizzard, the Red Sox are playing baseball under the Florida sun. On Sunday, before the snow began falling up north, Boston defeated the Blue Jays, 11-10, at JetBlue Park.
One player who caught Alex Cora’s eye was Jarren Duran, who flashed pull-side power.
“He hit two balls right on the screws today,” Cora said. “So that’s a good sign.”
The speedy outfielder went 2-for-3, crushing two doubles with exit velocities of 105.4 and 104.6 mph.
“Be on time and hit the ball hard — that’s what we want,” Cora said. “Last year, it felt like he was in between — between the leg kick and this and that. This offseason, the work was about that: just be on time.”
Duran ripped a first-inning double into right field and added a ground-rule double in the fifth down the right-field line.
“I know it’s early, but JD seems like a different hitter,” Cora said. “He’s hitting the ball really hard to the pull side and getting to pitches he probably didn’t get to last year. We’re expecting big things from him.”
Duran hit 41 doubles last season, most of them to left field. While it’s only one Grapefruit League game, he looked on time with each swing — though it’s still a small sample size.
Jarren Duran smokes a double off his bat to start the spring. 105.4 EV. Chef's kiss on the sound. pic.twitter.com/FMXNXlOei3— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 22, 2026
Trade rumors swirled around Duran all offseason due to Boston’s outfield logjam, which includes Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. All four are expected to factor into the offensive equation this season, with Duran likely moving down to the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
Duran started 25 games batting third last season. In that role, he hit .266 with a .384 on-base percentage, .479 slugging percentage, and an .863 OPS, adding four home runs, eight doubles, and 15 RBI.
“At the end, when Roman (Anthony) got hurt, we got back to him leading off, and he was trying to force it,” Cora said. “I thought he chased pitches. He was trying to force the action instead of letting the game come to him. Last year, hitting third, he was able to slow down. He was outstanding with men in scoring position — him and Trevor (Story).”
If Duran is looking to reestablish himself as the 2024 version — when he posted an 8.7 bWAR — he’ll likely split time between left field and designated hitter. Regular at-bats for Duran could limit opportunities for Masataka Yoshida and Kristian Campbell, if Campbell makes the Opening Day roster.
Few will lament reduced playing time for Yoshida, but as long as he remains on the 26-man roster, his fit continues to feel uncertain.
Captain of the Infield: Trevor Story
Trevor Story enters the season as one of two infielders with a guaranteed role. He’ll be the everyday shortstop, while Willson Contreraswill man first base. Second and third base will be sorted out during camp and the remainder of the Grapefruit League schedule.
Story enjoyed a healthy 2025 season — his first full campaign with Boston — and the 33-year-old spent the winter fine-tuning his defense.
The veteran focused on improving his backhand and adjusting his pre-pitch setup, believing those tweaks will make a noticeable difference.
“We looked at the numbers on the backhand,” Story said. “I could be a little better there. It’s about that pre-pitch setup and giving myself a foot or two — more of an angle to get there and use my arm strength to make the throw. It’s the little things.”
Story knows those little things add up over 162 games.
“A lot of it is pre-positioning and scouting,” he said. “But if you can gain a foot somewhere, that means a lot.”
The backhand has long been one of Story’s favorite plays.
“I love going backhand, especially the short backhand and throwing on the run,” he said. “That’s kind of the Troy Tulowitzki play I learned from him. My athleticism lends itself to those plays — the jump throws in the hole. Those are always fun.”
Trevor Story goes ALL OUT for the double play 😤 pic.twitter.com/Va2VLJtjgf— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2025
Story rated minus-9 Outs Above Average last season, per Statcast— the worst mark of his career. On balls moving toward third base, he was minus-6. The numbers worsened during a late-season slump, when he committed six of his 19 errors over the final nine games.
“That bothers me, because I felt overall I was putting together a good season,” Story said. “But that’s part of playing a full season after missing a couple of years.”
He should benefit from consistency up the middle with a regular double-play partner. It remains unclear whether Cora will go with Caleb Durbin or Marcelo Mayer at second base. Early in camp, Cora floated the idea of platooning Mayer and Romy Gonzalezat second, but Gonzalez’s nagging shoulder issue has halted those plans.
Monasterio Flying Under the Radar
Andruw Monasteriois a prime candidate to replace Gonzalez on the 26-man roster if Gonzalez opens the season on the injured list.
Cora has praised Monasterio as a “great athlete” following the trade that brought him to Boston. The right-handed hitter appeared in 219 games for the Brewers from 2023–25. Last season, he went 34-for-126 (.270) with a .755 OPS in 68 games. He also homered over the weekend — his first of the spring.
“You see him from afar, but then you see him here and it’s like, ‘Oh, shoot,’” Cora said. “He can move. He’s versatile. He can hit lefties. Now we have to work with him because I think it’s a different offensive mindset from what they do over there to what we do here. I truly believe there’s more from the three guys we acquired.”
Monasterio has recorded six Defensive Runs Saved in 392 1/3 innings at second base and four Defensive Runs Saved in 671 innings at third. He has also logged time at shortstop, first base, and left field.
'The Sooner the Better'
Cora hasn’t decided where Durbin or Mayer will play this season, but he indicated that clarity is coming soon.
“The sooner the better,” Cora told reporters at JetBlue Park.
Both players are expected to see action this week. Durbin will start at third base Tuesday afternoon against the Pirates and is slated to play second base Thursday — his first appearance there this spring.
“Great footwork,” Cora said about Durbin last week. “He did a good job last year with the Brewers. We expect the same thing.
“Short guy, lower to the ground,” Cora added. “I got some people that work for the Brewers. They say that when he goes down on the ground, he comes up very quick. I know it’s his wrestling background. He used to wrestle. So he’s a great athlete.”
Welcome to the Red Sox, Caleb Durbin! RBI single in his first AB. It's also his birthday. The other run was knocked in on a Willson Cotreras groundout that had a 110.3 EV. pic.twitter.com/FmiMzgRXci— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 22, 2026
Mayer, meanwhile, continues ramping up after wrist surgery that ended his 2025 season. He has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game but is expected to start at second base Friday.
“He’s doing everything; he’s just adding the velo machine and the Trajekt,” Cora said, referencing the advanced pitching system that replicates the experience of facing specific pitchers. “He’s doing the Trajekt again today — I think it’s the third time in four days — so he’ll be ready for games on Friday.”
Connelly Early Bigger in Camp
The Red Sox challenged Connelly Earlyto get bigger this offseason in hopes of maximizing his stuff and helping him work deeper into games.
He did just that, adding roughly 15 pounds through dedicated work in the weight room.
“I think we challenged him,” Cora said. “He added 15 pounds. He’s a lot stronger. That’s going to help him raise the floor on his fastball and maintain it throughout outings. If he can accomplish that, it’s going to be fun. It was fun last year.”
Early rose quickly through the system and made an impact in the postseason, including pitching Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees. The left-hander struck out six in 3 2/3 innings and allowed three earned runs, though Boston’s defense struggled behind him that night.
“It was a great experience — one that’s going to make him better,” Cora said. “From the anthem until we took him out, he was under control.”
Early made his spring debut Monday, tossing two scoreless innings against the Rays. He faced seven hitters, retired six, and issued one walk.
Early's line: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K (27 pitches, 18 strikes) https://t.co/1YHlBJmx9S— Mac Cerullo (@MacCerullo) February 23, 2026
“I felt good today,” Early said after the 2-1 loss. “Body felt good. I felt comfortable. Hopefully a byproduct of the added strength is the velo ticking up. It was in a good spot today.”
He didn’t feel noticeably different physically, but as he builds toward longer outings — 75 pitches or more — that added strength will be tested.
“If we’re getting swing-and-miss on the fastball and some chase, it’s good enough,” he said. “I’m not too worried about velo. It’s about holding the floor of the velo, feeling good, and being able to bounce back from starts.”
The Red Sox want to see refinement in the finer details around his game.
“Polish,” Cora said. “He understands what he needs to do. His secondary pitches play at this level — they did last year. But there’s more progression. He’s not a finished product. The physical gains will benefit him.”
Gray to Make Grapefruit League Debut
Sonny Graywill make his Red Sox debut on Saturday, Cora told reporters on Tuesday morning.
The veteran was one of the club's first and notable acquisitions this offseason. Gray's later spring start is not injury related, that the 36-year-old has preferred to get his work in on the backfields before taking the mound in live game action.
Gray tied his career-high with 14 wins last season (against eight losses) while posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 201 strikeouts across 180 2/3 innings pitched covering 32 starts. He is expected to slot behind ace Garrett Crochet and newcomer Ranger Suárezin the rotation.
On the Mend
Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval— both sidelined for the entire 2025 season due to injury — have progressed more cautiously than the rest of the pitching staff this spring. While there’s still a path to being ready for Opening Day, Cora acknowledged time is becoming a factor.
“They’re behind, yes. But trending in the right direction,” Cora said. “I don’t want to get to that point, but it’s getting to March.”
Crawford is scheduled to throw an up-and-down session in the coming days, while Sandoval will face live hitters.
Cora was particularly encouraged by Sandoval’s most recent bullpen.
“He threw the ball well the other day,” Cora said. “The velo was up — 94-95 — which is eye-opening.”
The Sox’ skipper views both pitchers as starters, but with the No. 5 spot in the rotation up for grabs, one — or both — could end up on the outside looking in.
Cora’s public commitment to Sandoval as a starter, while continuing to keep the left-hander stretched out, could also carry trade implications as roster decisions draw closer.
Newly acquired infielder Anthony Seigler, is dealing with a knee issue and is listed as a non-participant in camp.
“It started in winter ball and the first few days he was feeling fine, but now he’s not,” Cora said.
Minor-league pitchers Osvaldo Berrios (right shoulder tendinitis) and Hobie Harris(forearm soreness) remain shutdown in camp.
SALE EXTENSION
The Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday that they’ve signed veteran left-hander Chris Saleto a one-year, $27 million contract extension that includes a $30 million club option for the 2028 season.
The deal adds a year to his current contract and includes no buyout on the 2028 option. It represents the largest single-season salary the Braves have ever guaranteed a player.
Sale, who turns 37 next month, has been dominant since arriving in Atlanta, capturing the National League Cy Young Award in 2024. Since joining the organization, he has posted a 2.46 ERA (2.84 SIERA, 2.38 FIP) with a 32.2% strikeout rate and a 5.9% walk rate.
Atlanta’s rotation has been hit with a wave of injuries early in camp, with both Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrepsidelined. As he enters his 17th big league season, Sale remains a stabilizing force for the Braves.
