Red Sox Leave Fans in Limbo With Unexpected Marcelo Mayer Scratch

Infielder Mayer was scratched from Sunday's spring training lineup due to left knee soreness, raising concerns about his health ahead of the regular season.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 4:48pm

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The Boston Red Sox scratched infielder Marcelo Mayer from their spring training lineup against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday due to left knee soreness. This unexpected move has left Red Sox fans anxious, as Mayer, the team's top prospect, has dealt with various injury issues in his young career, including a wrist injury that ended his 2022 season early. The Red Sox cannot afford to lose Mayer for any significant time during the regular season, making this a closely watched storyline as the team prepares for opening day.

Why it matters

Mayer is widely considered the Red Sox's top prospect and was expected to compete for the starting second base job this spring. Any injury concerns surrounding him are worrying for a Red Sox team that is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2022 season. Mayer's health and development are crucial to the team's long-term success, so this unexpected scratch has raised alarm bells among the fanbase.

The details

Mayer, 23, was scratched from Sunday's spring training lineup against the Minnesota Twins and replaced by prospect Mikey Romero. The reason given for Mayer's absence was left knee soreness. Mayer has dealt with various injury issues in his young career, including a wrist injury that ended his 2022 season early after just 44 games in his major league debut. The Red Sox cannot afford to lose Mayer for any significant time during the regular season, as he is expected to be a key part of their lineup.

  • On Sunday, March 15, 2026, Mayer was scratched from the Red Sox's spring training lineup against the Twins.
  • In 2022, Mayer's season ended in late July due to a wrist injury that required surgery.

The players

Marcelo Mayer

A 23-year-old infielder who is considered the top prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization. Mayer has dealt with various injury issues in his young career, including a wrist injury that ended his 2022 season early.

Mikey Romero

A Red Sox prospect who replaced Mayer in the lineup on Sunday against the Twins.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who has been clear that Mayer must perform well this spring to earn a spot on the opening day roster.

Garrett Crochet

The Red Sox's ace pitcher, who was also the subject of injury concerns on Sunday, but those were quickly quelled.

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What they’re saying

“Mayer has yet to play 100 games in any professional season, having dealt with the same wrist issue in 2022, an inflamed shoulder in 2023, and a lower back problem in 2024.”

— Chris Cotillo, Reporter

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to monitor Mayer's left knee soreness and provide updates on his status as the team prepares for the start of the regular season.

The takeaway

This unexpected scratch of Mayer has raised concerns among Red Sox fans about the team's top prospect and his injury history. The Red Sox cannot afford to lose Mayer for any significant time, as he is expected to be a key part of their lineup this season. The team will need to closely monitor his progress and ensure he is healthy and ready to contribute when the regular season begins.