When the Boston Red Sox lost third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency in January to the Chicago Cubs, it came as a surprise. It was such a big surprise that the Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow, appeared to be caught off guard.
Instead of pivoting to finding Bregman’s replacement, Breslow signed Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez to a five-year, $130 million contract. As for third base, it took another month before it was addressed. Boston acquired Caleb Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers, and he won the starting job in spring training.
Through four games, it’s been a struggle for Durbin. It is a small sample size, but Durbin appears to be frustrated after his latest game against the Houston Astros on Monday night.
Boston Red Sox Third Baseman Caleb Durbin Addresses Early-Season Struggles
When manager Alex Cora named Durbin the starter in spring training, nobody saw what was coming. In the season-opening series against the Cincinnati Reds, he went 0-for-12 with three strikeouts. It didn’t get better against the Astros. He went hitless in two at-bats before being pinch-hit for in the top of the seventh inning by Masataka Yoshida, who struck out.
“I mean, Masa rakes,” said Durbin. “So, excited for him to get the opportunity there. You always want those at-bats, but definitely understand it.”
Yoshida is stuck in an overloaded outfield for Cora and finds himself on the bench a lot to begin the season. Trailing 5-0 in the top of the seventh, Boston finally broke through against Houston starter Lance McCullers, Jr. Wilyer Abreu had a two-out, RBI double that put runners on second and third. Cora called on Yoshida to hit for Durbin, but he struck out in what was the Red Sox’s last opportunity to make things interesting.
“In that situation, I’m not going to go to the hotel with Masa on the bench,” Cora said. “We’re going to use the roster, maximize it.”
It didn’t end up working out. That has been an early trend, though, in the first four games for the Red Sox in 2026.
Caleb Durbin Not Panicking Four Games Into the Season
Durbin slashed .256/.334/.387 with 11 home runs and 53 RBIs last season for the Brewers. It was his first pro season, and he played in 136 games. You can see why Breslow traded for him to replace Bregman; however, things are not going as planned early on.
“It’s just taking it at-bat by at-bat, trying to make the adjustments necessary to find some green,” Durbin said. “Definitely not lost up there by any means. Just have to make the adjustment and figure it out . . . It’s super early. I don’t even think it’s April yet. I lost track of days.”
How much longer can Cora and Breslow let his struggles go on? Marcelo Mayer could slide over to third base, and utility free agent Isiah Kinfer-Falefa is another option. Durbin is correct that it isn’t even April yet, but the results speak for themselves. He’s a couple of hits away from breaking out of his slump, but that’s easier said than done.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Boston Red Sox Infielder Gets Brutally Honest About Early-Season Struggles appeared first on Heavy Sports.