Red Sox spring training is fully underway, with Grapefruit League games taking place. There hasn’t been much in terms of storylines at the beginning of this camp, unlike last February.
The World Baseball Classic will disrupt the spring for the entire league, with top players around baseball taking part in the tournament. The Red Sox will see 13 members of their 40-man roster leave camp to play for their respective teams.
As Opening Day continues to inch closer, the Red Sox roster is relatively complete.
“It’s a different camp. It’s not that we’re 100% sure who’s going to Cincinnati, but it’s close,” manager Alex Cora said recently to reporters in Fort Myers. “It’s just a matter of how we’re going to do it.”
Here’s a look at what the Red Sox’ 26-man roster could look like on March 26, when Boston begins the season on the road in Cincinnati.
STARTING PITCHERS (5):
LHP Garrett Crochet, LHP Ranger Suárez, RHP Sonny Gray, RHP Brayan Bello, RHP Johan Oviedo
It goes without saying that Crochet, Suárez, Gray, and Bello are going to occupy the first four spots in the rotation. The Red Sox completely changed the landscape of their rotation from a year ago, adding Suárez in free agency and Gray and Oviedo in trades.
There’s competition in camp for the final spot in the rotation, with Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, and Patrick Sandovalall attempting to become the No. 5 starter.
For now, Oviedo is in the driver’s seat to land that final spot. He made his spring debut on Wednesday and looked slightly erratic. He faced nine batters and threw eight first-pitch strikes. Despite that, he walked three batters, and 15 of his 33 pitches (45%) were strikes.
“I was getting ahead strike one, but after strike one I was kind of losing it a little bit,” Oviedo said.
Oviedo allowed one hit and struck out one in 1 2/3 innings.
“Not the worst, but definitely not the best,” Oviedo added.
Cora told reporters after the outing that Oviedo was “erratic. But good stuff. We have work to do. But it’s good for him to get his innings in and move on.”
Oviedo fits the theme the Red Sox have focused on when adding pitchers. He offers big-time extension — 7.4 feet last season, which ranked in the 98th percentile, according to Statcast.
“That’s one of the things we’ve focused on besides getting ahead — just using my strong body toward home plate and using all that force I can create,” Oviedo said. “That’s going to be the rest of the spring. That’s one of the things we’re going to keep pushing.”
Johan Oviedo was wild, but he found a way to keep the Twins off the board. 1.2 IP - 33 Pitches/15 Strikes 1 Hit 0 ER/R 1 K 3 BB 1 HBP 1 Whiff Topped out at 96.5. Averaged 94.3 on the 4SFB. Should’ve been out of the second if a ball didn’t drop in LF. pic.twitter.com/HbyhnJwSX6— Tyler Milliken (@tylermilliken_) February 25, 2026
Oviedo came over from the Pirates in early December after posting a 3.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 42 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 40 1/3 innings last season. He missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. A portion of his 2025 was disrupted due to a lat strain.
Oviedo’s 15 fastballs vs. the Twins averaged 94.3 mph. That’s down from his 95.5 mph average last season.
“We’ve still got about a month left. My main focus is not velo. It’s commanding all the pitches and making sure they’re sharp,” he said. “Quality pitches are what I’m looking for right now. Make sure the slider’s there, the cutter’s there, the curveball’s there, the changeup’s there. Velocity — it’s going to be there no matter what.”
If Oviedo fails to win the No. 5 spot, the Sox could option him to Triple-A Worcester to keep him stretched out. Crawford is behind in terms of facing live hitters, and it’s becoming likely he starts the season on the injured list. Sandoval is an option and has been facing live hitters. Boston could move Sandoval to the bullpen to begin the season or possibly flip him in a trade to a club in need of pitching depth.
Maybe the Braves are a match after losing Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep. Atlanta is also down righty AJ Smith-Shawver, who is expected to miss the entire season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
It seems the Red Sox are content with Early and Tolle starting the year in the Triple-A rotation as ready-made fill-in options, but a strong camp from either could shake things up. Newly acquired Jake Bennetthas had a strong camp and dialed up his fastball to 97 mph on Wednesday. He’s an option to debut at some point this season.
For now, Oviedo is the favorite to win the No. 5 spot — mainly due to health — unless someone else pops before the end of camp.
RELIEVERS (8):
LHP Aroldis Chapman, RHP Garrett Whitlock, RHP Justin Slaten, RHP Greg Weissert, RHP Zack Kelly, RHP Ryan Watson, LHP Jovani Morán, LHP Patrick Sandoval
Chapman and Whitlock are locks for the back end of the bullpen, with Slaten, Weissert, and Kelly as right-handed options. Watson is a Rule 5 pick who must remain on the 26-man roster all season. The left-handed side of the bullpen is the bigger question mark.
Morán is a strong bet to make the team and is out of options. Tyler Samaniegohas been dealing with a minor back issue, keeping him out of action. Sandoval is a logical in-house candidate for the bullpen. There’s a chance he could start the year on the IL, allowing the Sox to delay a final decision.
Kyle Keller, Tayron Guerrero, Seth Martinez, Alec Gamboa, and Noah Song are possibilities to help the bullpen this season. Boston would benefit from adding a veteran free agent, but Craig Breslow hasn’t added anyone and has stated he’s comfortable with the left-handed options in camp.
CATCHERS (2):
Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong
Narváez is the starter, and Wong appears to be the backup — at least for now. Matt Thaiss has major league experience and could push Wong. If not, he’ll head to Worcester along with Jason Delay and Mickey Gasper.
INFIELDERS (6):
1B Willson Contreras, 2B Marcelo Mayer, SS Trevor Story, 3B Caleb Durbin, UTIL Isiah Kiner-Falefa, UTIL Andruw Monasterio
Cora hasn’t announced who will play second or third base when the season begins. Durbin has seen most of his time at third but will get reps at second. Mayer is expected to make his spring debut Friday.
“Now he’s just adding to his hitting program. He’s doing everything,” Cora said. “He’s adding the velo machine and the Trajekt. He’s doing Trajekt again today — I think it’s the third time in four days. So he’ll be ready for games Friday.”
Romy Gonzalezwas going to be a platoon option, but he’s dealing with a shoulder issue and doesn’t think he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
Willson Contreras’ first home run in a Red Sox uniform! pic.twitter.com/xGvCUHZ42s— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 24, 2026
Monasterio is versatile and hits lefties. He should see playing time, with Kiner-Falefa serving in a utility role.
Brendan Rodgersis another option but left Wednesday’s game after injuring his shoulder on a diving play.
Eaton offers speed and versatility and will play for Great Britain in the WBC, which could affect his roster chances.
Nick Sogardhas been playing first base and other positions in camp. He’s a sure-handed defender and strong clubhouse presence.
Mikey Romerois a dark horse but is earmarked for Triple-A. He hit 17 homers between Portland and Worcester last season.
Cora said he wants to see Romero at second base “as much as possible.”
“The more I see him there, the better. It’s for my benefit.”
Triston Casas … like a cat pic.twitter.com/BqSBiRAUi9— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) February 16, 2026
Triston Casasis rehabbing from knee surgery and is going to start in the minors.
“When I'm healthy, I fit on any team,” said Casas to MLB.com.
Casas needs to get back to full speed before even thinking about joining the group in Grapefruit League game action or another team elsewhere in the big leagues.
Health has been an issue for Casas the last two seasons. He suffered a rib cage injury that sidelined him for a chunk of the 2024 season and now is rehabbing back from the devastating knee injury from last season. Once he does get back, Contreras will be the starting first baseman, but Casas could contribute there on days off and be the designated hitter.
Before Casas was injured, he was struggling at the plate for the Sox. He went 18-for-99 (.182) in 29 games; coupled with his knee injury, Boston went out and added a proven slugger to play first base in Contreras.
OUTFIELDERS / DH (5):
Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony, Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida
The Sox’ outfield remains crowded. It doesn’t appear Breslow plans to make a trade before Opening Day.
It’s been overcommunicated that the Sox’ outfield is crowded with Abreu, Anthony, Duran, Rafaela, and Yoshida on the roster. It doesn’t appear Breslow plans to swing a trade before Opening Day to clear the logjam, so the outfield is what it is. Cora will need to be creative in finding playing time and can mix and match at DH.
Abreu is coming off back-to-back Gold Glove seasons and will man right field. Rafaela, another Gold Glove winner, will occupy center, with Duran and Anthony splitting time in left field and at DH. Yoshida feels like a fish out of water on this roster, but with $36 million owed to him over the next two seasons, he’s likely here for the foreseeable future — unless Breslow gets creative or John Henry signs off on eating part of the contract.
Kristian Campbellwill have every opportunity to prove he belongs on the Opening Day roster while regulars are away at the WBC. However, he needs everyday at-bats, which makes it likely he opens the season in Worcester.
Keep an eye on Braiden Ward, whom the Sox acquired from the Rockies for Brennan Bernardino. Ward’s elite speed stood out last season — he stole 57 bases across 97 games between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque. In camp as a non-roster invitee, he projects as Worcester’s starting left fielder.
