Boston Red Sox

Romy Gonzalez

1B

Gonzalez has not participated in baseball activities in spring training due to left shoulder inflammation that he has dealt with for most of the offseason. He was already a longshot to be available for Opening Day, and it appears the 29-year-old utility man could be on the shelf well beyond the start of the 2026 regular season. An extended absence for Gonzalez means Kristian Campbell, Nate Eaton and Andruw Monasterio would each have a better chance of cracking the Red Sox's Opening Day roster.

Nick Sogard

1B

Sogard had started five of the last seven tilts, seeing action at both second base and right field. He'll take a seat Wednesday, as Ceddanne Rafaela will occupy the keystone and Rob Refsnyder will patrol right field.

Vinny Nittoli

RP

Nittoli saw limited action in the majors every season from 2021-2024 but spent all of 2025 at the Triple-A level, collecting a 4.58 ERA and 46:15 K:BB over 39.1 innings. The 35-year-old will compete for a bullpen role in Boston but is likely ticketed for Triple-A Worcester.

Brendan Rodgers

2B

Rodgers was sent for imaging after he tweaked his shoulder on a dive attempt in the field last week, and it now appears he'll be unavailable to begin the season. The 29-year-old has previously undergone major surgery on both shoulders, but it's unclear if the current issue is related to those procedures. Rodgers wasn't likely to make Boston's Opening Day roster even if healthy, and he now appears set to begin the campaign on the IL at Triple-A Worcester.

Mikey Romero

SS

"You see the physicality of Romero," Cora said. "He's strong, stronger than last year. From me, I want to see him at second base and see how it plays out. He did an amazing job (adding strength) in the offseason." Romero had a fully healthy season in 2025, his first being selected 24th overall in 2022. The recently turned 22-year-old infielder posted a .751 OPS with 17 home runs -- third most in the system -- over 111 games in stops at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. While Cora mentioned second base, Romero also played shortstop and third base in 2025. Second base was an unsettled spot for Boston last season, but it looks like a combination of Marcelo Mayer and Caleb Durbin should handle those chores in 2026. Romero, who currently does not have a spot on the 40-man roster, is seemingly in contention for a call-up should the Red Sox have a need for an infielder.