The Boston Red Sox could be down a catcher when they open their season on March 30.
Connor Wong, who was projected to be the backup catcher on Opening Day, strained his left hamstring during Thursday's spring training game vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Alex Cora said the injury "doesn’t look great right now" but the team is hoping to get better news Friday morning.
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Wong, 26, hit .188 with one homer in 27 games last season for the big-league club. He showed impressive pop at Triple-A Worcester, slashing .288/.349/.489 with 15 homers in 81 games.
Reese McGuire is set to be the Red Sox' starting catcher in 2023. Wong's absence will open the door for free-agent signing Jorge Alfaro to crack the Opening Day roster as the second backstop on the depth chart.
Alfaro isn't currently on the 40-man roster and if he still isn't by March 25, he can opt out and seek a role elsewhere. He'll make a $ 2 million salary if he makes the major league roster out of camp. In 82 games last season for the San Diego Padres, Alfaro hit .246 with six homers.