The Red Sox have set their 2026 Opening Day roster and will open the season Thursday afternoon on the road in Cincinnati against the Reds.
Boston will send Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Connelly Early to the mound in the opening series before turning to Brayan Bello and Ranger Suárez in Houston.
Fans know who’s taking the ball — but what does the rest of the roster look like heading into the new season?
Pitchers (13): Brayan Bello, Aroldis Chapman, Danny Coulombe, Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early, Sonny Gray, Jovani Morán, Johan Oviedo, Justin Slaten, Ranger Suarez, Ryan Watson, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock
The only real surprise on the pitching side was Early earning Sunday’s start over Oviedo. Early impressed all spring, posting a 1.59 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 17 innings to secure his spot on the roster.
Oviedo, acquired in the Jhostynxon García trade with the Pirates, never fully seized the opportunity to claim the No. 5 role. That doesn’t mean he won’t start this season, though Alex Corais expected to use the right-hander as a bulk-innings option behind Bello and Suárez as they continue to build back up following the World Baseball Classic.
Crochet will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for Boston and remains the engine of the Red Sox rotation. The 26-year-old is coming off a dominant 2025 season in which he finished runner-up to Tarik Skubal for the American League Cy Young Award.
The Sox' ace went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, led the league with 255 strikeouts, and logged a career-high 205 1/3 innings across 32 starts.
One key storyline this season will be the development of his changeup, a pitch he used just four percent of the time last year. If it becomes a legitimate weapon, it could push his strikeout total toward 300.
Suárez arrives in Boston after spending his entire career with the Phillies. The Red Sox signed him to a five-year, $130 million deal in January, and he’s expected to help anchor one of the game’s top rotations, at least on paper, as they enter the season.
The left-handed tandem of Crochet and Suárez gives Boston an impressive one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Suárez may not overpower hitters like Crochet, but he excels at limiting hard contact and keeping walks in check, two traits Craig Breslowvalues when evaluating pitchers.
Paint 🎨 Garrett Crochet ends his night with strikeout No. 11! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/p0wtM1bq8a— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025
Gray, acquired from St. Louis in November, slots in as a veteran presence in the middle of the rotation. The 36-year-old is coming off a season in which he made 32 starts and recorded 201 strikeouts. While he’s on the back end of his career, Gray remains effective and could be a key piece as the Red Sox push for October baseball for the second straight year.
Bello slots into the back end of the rotation, which could benefit the right-hander. Like Suárez, he relies on inducing ground balls, and Boston’s revamped infield should help both pitchers. Bello has worked on adding a curveball and refining his changeup grip this spring, giving him a more complete arsenal. If he builds off his strong second half in 2025, where he posted a 2.42 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 22 walks over 14 starts, he could quietly put together a solid season behind Crochet and Suárez.
Chapman is coming off a career year in 2025, earning All-Star honors and posting a 3.5 WAR. His 0.701 WHIP was the lowest of his career, and his 5.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio was a personal best. Among pitchers with at least 50 innings, Chapman led baseball with a 1.32 ERA and held opponents to a .387 OPS. He also converted 34 of 36 save opportunities at age 37. Boston rewarded him with an extension, and he’ll anchor the bullpen alongside Whitlock.
Beyond that, the bullpen remains somewhat of a wild card.
The Red Sox added veterans Coulombe and Tommy Kahnle late in camp, with Coulombe making the roster. Kahnle will open the season in Worcester but is expected to factor into the bullpen once he builds up. Zack Kellywas optioned, allowing Boston to carry both Early and Oviedo as they continue to ramp up after the World Baseball Classic.
Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandovalwill begin the season on the 15-day injured list but could enter the mix in April if needed.
Catchers (2): Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong
Narváez sits atop the Red Sox’ catching depth chart after an impressive rookie season. The 26-year-old emerged as one of the team’s biggest surprises, hitting .241 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 118 games.
Wong had to fight for his roster spot this spring, competing with veteran Matt Thaiss (keep an eye on him). Wong entered last season as the starter but lost his job to Narváez due to injury and struggles at the plate, finishing with a .190 average, seven RBIs, and a .500 OPS.
While Wong ultimately secured a roster spot, he’ll need to produce, especially with capable veterans waiting in the wings at Worcester.
Infielders (6): Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio, Trevor Story
Mayer earned his way onto the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster after being pushed throughout camp by Cora. He’s expected to serve as Boston’s primary second baseman, likely platooning with Monasterio and Kiner-Falefa against left-handed pitching.
Romy Gonzalezwas originally slated for that role but will miss at least the first two months after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Mayer struggled against lefties last season, going 4-for-26 with 10 strikeouts. Overall, he appeared in 44 games before a wrist sprain ended his rookie campaign in July. The 23-year-old is an above-average defender but is still developing offensively after hitting .228 with four home runs, 10 RBIs, a .674 OPS, and a 30.1% strikeout rate in 136 plate appearances.
Durbin steps in as Alex Bregman’sreplacement at third base after an impressive spring, hitting .356/.453/.511 with nine RBIs, 15 hits, and three stolen bases. The Red Sox expect him to take advantage of Fenway Park, particularly the Green Monster.
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
Veterans Contreras and Story anchor the infield and lineup. Contreras transitioned smoothly from catcher to first base last season, aided by guidance from Cardinals legend Ozzie Smith. He’s expected to hit cleanup, which could allow Boston to slot Story near the top of the order.
Story, coming off a healthy 2025 season, hit .263/.308/.433 with 25 home runs, 29 doubles, and 31 stolen bases. While he provides power and speed, consistency at the plate remains key.
Triston Casas will begin the season on the 10-day injured list as he continues rehabbing his knee, while Anthony Seigler was also placed on the IL with left knee patellar tendinopathy.
Outfielders (5): Wilyer Abreu, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela, Masataka Yoshida
The Red Sox’ crowded outfield has been one of the most talked-about storylines all winter. Craig Breslowchose not to move Duran or Abreu, leaving Alex Cora to find ways to get their bats into the lineup alongside rising star in Anthony, first time Gold Glover Rafaela, and Yoshida.
Duran should see time at DH when he’s not in left field, with Anthony in left and Rafaela and Abreu handling center and right, respectively. The group gives Boston four elite defenders for three spots, a good problem to have, though it’s still somewhat surprising Breslow didn’t deal from the depth to improve roster balance.
All eyes will be on Anthony, who turned heads during the World Baseball Classic with his power and plate discipline. He finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2025 after slashing .292/.396/.463 (.859 OPS) with a 140 wRC+. Despite appearing in just 71 games, he compiled 2.7 fWAR — the fifth-highest among all outfielders from his debut until his injury on September 2, trailing only Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Julio Rodríguez, and Byron Buxton.
Anthony’s athleticism gives him a high ceiling in left field, backed by strong defensive metrics. He posted +6 Outs Above Average in 2025, including +4 in right field and +2 in left.
He’s poised to be the centerpiece of Boston’s lineup for years to come. Alongside Crochet, Anthony represents one of the Red Sox’ most important building blocks for a successful 2026 season and a potential postseason run.
