The Boston Red Sox have dealt with issues in their infield all season. First baseman Triston Casas tore a patellar tendon on May 2, ending his season. And $120 million free agent third baseman Alex Bregman missed 42 games with a quad injury.
With a carousel of David Hamilton, Kristian Campbell, Romy Gonzalez and even regular centerfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and minor league Gallup Nick Sogard at second, that position may be the most unstable of all.
Only shortstop, where finally-healthy veteran Trevor Story has played 106 of Boston’s 113 games, has remained consistent througout the season.
Mayer Call-Up Stabilizes Volatile Infield
That stability may be a thing of the past, however, according an ominous new update on a top rookie who can play at any spot on the infield.
When the Red Sox called up their No. 2 overall prospect Marcelo Mayer on May 24, the slick-fielding, versatile infielder appeared to solve a lot of problems. Drafted as a shortstop at No. 4 overall in 2021 â the highest Red Sox pick since 1967 â and signed for a $6.64 million bonus, the 6-foot-3, 188-pound Mayer has the size to play third base.
In fact, in Bregman’s absence, manager Alex Cora stationed Mayer there for 39 games. Mayer also played eight games at second base.
‘Tight Grab’ in Wrist Creates New Chaos
That’s why, when Mayer removed himself from a game on July 23, citing a “tight grab” that he felt in his right wrist after taking a swing, the Red Sox infield suddenly seemed shaky all over again.
Mayer was spotted with a brace on the wrist in the days after the injury and the situation only got worse when the Red Sox moved him to the injured list on July 25, describing the injury in rather vague terms as a “wrist sprain.”
On Sunday, a new update emerged to indicate that whatever is wrong with Mayer’s wrist is more than a mere “sprain.” The information, which has not been publicly confirmed by the Red Sox, emerged in a Sunday column by USA Today baseball insider Bob Nightengale.
Surgery in Mayer’s Future, Report Says
“Boston Red Sox rookie infielder Marcelo Mayerâs sprained wrist is more serious than the Red Sox initially envisioned,” Nightingale wrote. “Season-ending surgery is a possibility after consulting with specialists.”
The USA Today columnist did not cite a source for his update on Mayer, and at least in public, the Red Sox have remained optimistic about the 22-year-old’s future. In fact, on Saturday, Cora said that Marcelo would receive an anti-inflammatory medical injection in the wrist, in an attempt to speed his recovery and get him back on the field.
Red Sox Remain Optimistic on Mayer’s Future
âObviously weâre all optimistic. Thatâs the reason that heâs going with this path,” said Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow on Saturday. “We believe that it gives him the best chance to get back on the field this season, and I think itâs a credit to him to try to do anything he can to get back.”
But if surgery is in fact required, it would be the third straight season that Mayer’s season has been cut short by injury. In 2023 his season with the Single-A Greenville Drive ended 11 games early due to a shoulder ailment that would not go away.
Last season, with the Double-A Portland Seas Dogs, it was a lower back strain that cut Mayer’s season off at just 77 games.
Whether Mayer will require surgery or not is a decision that the rookie and the Red Sox will most likely need to face sometime in the upcoming week.
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