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Fort Myers Today
By the People, for the People
Red Sox' depth options for 1B limited, Kiner-Falefa steps up
Newly-signed utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa is working out at first base, a position he's never played in the majors.
Published on Feb. 17, 2026
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With Triston Casas still recovering from knee surgery and Romy Gonzalez dealing with a shoulder injury, the Red Sox have limited depth options at first base early in spring training. Newly-signed utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has played every position except first base in the majors, is now getting work at first base to provide additional coverage in case he's needed there during the season.
Why it matters
The Red Sox are thin at first base due to injuries, so Kiner-Falefa's willingness to learn a new position could prove valuable if the team needs to call on him to fill in at first base during the season.
The details
Kiner-Falefa, who has played second, short and third base in the majors, is now working on the fundamentals of playing first base, including footwork, cutoff plays, and holding runners. He last played first base for four innings in the minors, so this is a new position for him at the major league level.
- Kiner-Falefa has been getting work at first base for the past two days in Red Sox spring training.
The players
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
A newly-signed utility player for the Red Sox who has played every position except first base in the majors.
Triston Casas
A Red Sox first baseman who is still recovering from major knee surgery last May.
Romy Gonzalez
A Red Sox player battling a left shoulder injury from last September and a January setback, who is not yet cleared for baseball activities.
Willson Contreras
The Red Sox's starting catcher, whom Kiner-Falefa may need to pinch-run for late in games.
Caleb Durbin
A Red Sox player who is a "really, really good" player that Kiner-Falefa doesn't want to displace from his position.
Marcelo Mayer
A Red Sox player who is a "really, really good" player that Kiner-Falefa doesn't want to displace from his position.
What they’re saying
“Having experience all over the field helps out a lot so going there is a little easier. I think the hardest thing is the range factor, getting back to the base, footwork and then the cuts (cutoff plays on throws from the outfield) and bunt plays.”
— Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Yahoo Sports)
“Other than that, playing the position, I felt fine. It's going to be more about the bunt plays, holding the runner on, the little things that make some guys better than other guys. If I'm at any spot on the field, I want to make sure I'm the right guy for the job.”
— Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Yahoo Sports)
“If I have to pinch run for Willson (Contreras) late in the game, they're not going to move (Caleb) Durbin or Marcelo (Mayer) off their spots because they're really, really good players. If that's how I fit in, I've got to keep working there.”
— Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Yahoo Sports)
The takeaway
Kiner-Falefa's willingness to learn a new position and add first base to his versatile skill set could prove valuable for the Red Sox, who are dealing with injuries to their regular first basemen early in spring training. His ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable utility player who can fill in where needed.
