Andruw

Monasterio

Eaton had a solid spring, going 9-for-32 with four RBI and two steals. However, he only played the outfield in the spring, so it seems like both Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have surpassed him as true utility players.

Cora made it official that Mayer will open the regular season as Boston’s starting option at the keystone. The 23-year-old top prospect is likely to cede some playing time to Andruw Monsterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa against left-handed starters, but will get the bulk of the playing time at the keystone. Cora went out of his way to tell reporters on several occasions that Mayer would have to earn the starting job this spring, so this certainly qualifies as a vote of confidence in the former fourth-overall selection from the 2021 MLB Draft. His immediate fantasy appeal is limited to deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats. If he can stay healthy, he’s one of the more intriguing young talents in the game capable of hitting double-digit homers with a respectable batting average and a handful of stolen bases.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has told reporters on several occasions this spring that Mayer will have to earn the starting role at second base in camp, which means any sort of extended absence would diminish his chances with just under two weeks left until Opening Day. The 23-year-old top prospect figures to continue sitting against left-handed starters with Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting some opportunities in a short-side platoon role. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to miss too much time here with Cora adding that Mayer should be back in the lineup on Tuesday.

This isn’t a surprise after Gonzalez hurt his shoulder at the end of last season and spent the offseason recovering. With Caleb Durbin and Marcelo Mayer seemingly locked into the starting second base and third base jobs, the Red Sox are looking to land on a utility infielder for a bench role. So far, Andruw Monasterio looks like the primary option until Gonzalez can work himself back into games.

Anthony will get a few exhibition games under his belt with the Red Sox before joining Team USA for next month’s World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old on-base machine’s perch atop Boston’s formidable lineup, which features offseason acquisition Willson Contreras in the heart of the order, makes it easy to project him as an impact fantasy contributor in the runs scored department. His ability to generate consistent hard contact, as evidenced by a 94.5 mph average exit velocity — the highest single-season mark by a hitter under the age of 22 in the Statcast era — portend immediate success at the highest level as a power-hitting table-setter. He’ll be an early-round pick in all fantasy drafts this spring. Here’s the full lineup: Anthony (RF), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Wilyer Abreu (DH), Contreras (1B), Masataka Yoshida (LF), Connor Wong (C), Andruw Monasterio (3B), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS) and Brendan Rodgers (2B).

Monasterio, 28, appeared in 68 contests for the Brewers during the 2025 campaign, slashing a healthy .270/.319/.437 with four homers, 16 RBI, two stolen bases and a 32/7 K/BB ratio over 135 plate appearances. He should settle into a utility role with the Red Sox.

Passan notes that the Brewers will receive left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan along with infielder David Hamilton in return. Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that the Red Sox will also get Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler and a competitive balance round B pick with Durbin. Durbin, who finished third in the voting for National League Rookie of the Year in 2025, slashed .256/.334/.387 with 11 homers, 53 RBI and 18 stolen bases over 506 plate appearances. He should step right in as the Red Sox’ starting third baseman.

Monasterio didn’t even enter the game until the eighth inning as a defensive replacement. He was plunked by Riley O’Brien in the ninth inning and ultimately scored during the Brewers’ game-tying three-run rally. He then played the role of hero in the 10th as he battled Kyle Leahy for a 10-pitch at-bat before serving the game-winning single into center field to plate Caleb Durbin with the winning run and send the Brewers’ home faithful into a frenzy. The 28-year-old infielder is now hitting .290/.339/.486 with four homers and 16 RBI in 115 plate appearances with the Brewers on the season.

Monasterio, filling in for the injured Joey Ortiz at shortstop, had an RBI single in the third and a 404-foot homer in the fourth. One of several role players to step up in a thus-far incredibly successful season for the Brewers, Monasterio has a .779 OPS in 87 plate appearances. He’ll remain in the lineup regularly while Ortiz is out.

Ortiz suffered the injured during Thursday’s ballgame against the Cubs. No official word yet on the results of Ortiz’s MRI exam or how severe the strain is, but he’ll miss at least a couple of weeks. Andruw Monasterio is starting in his place at shortstop on Friday night and should see increased action while Oritz is shelved.