Red Sox's Opening Day Lineup Revealed in Spring Training

Alex Cora's projected starters settle key position battles ahead of the new season

Feb. 23, 2026 at 4:35pm

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The Boston Red Sox have provided a preview of their likely Opening Day lineup, with manager Alex Cora revealing the starting positions for several key roster spots. The lineup includes Roman Anthony leading off, Willson Contreras at catcher, and Ceddanne Rafaela in the outfield, among other notable inclusions.

Why it matters

This early lineup announcement gives Red Sox fans a sense of how the team will look on Opening Day, settling debates around the leadoff hitter, third base, and other positions. It also provides insight into Cora's plans for young talents like Marcelo Mayer and Masataka Yoshida, who may not be guaranteed starting roles to begin the season.

The details

Cora's projected Opening Day lineup features Roman Anthony leading off, followed by Trevor Story, Jarren Duran, Contreras, Wilyer Abreu, Caleb Durbin at third base, Rafaela, Carlos Narváez, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Garrett Crochet is slated to be the Opening Day starting pitcher. The lineup confirms Anthony as the leadoff hitter after his strong debut in 2025, while Durbin and Kiner-Falefa have secured the starting jobs at third base and second base, respectively. Mayer's spot on the roster is not guaranteed, and Yoshida may be impacted by his departure to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

  • The Red Sox have about a month of spring training games and the World Baseball Classic remaining before Opening Day on March 26.
  • Cora revealed the projected Opening Day lineup during a spring training game on February 22, 2026.

The players

Roman Anthony

A top Red Sox prospect who had a strong debut in 2025, expected to be the team's leadoff hitter on Opening Day.

Caleb Durbin

A National League Rookie of the Year finalist in 2025, projected to be the starting third baseman on Opening Day.

Marcelo Mayer

A highly touted Red Sox prospect whose spot on the Opening Day roster is not guaranteed, according to manager Alex Cora.

Masataka Yoshida

An outfielder who Cora has praised, but may not be included in the Opening Day lineup due to the depth of the Red Sox's outfield.

Garrett Crochet

The Red Sox's projected Opening Day starting pitcher.

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What’s next

The Red Sox have nearly a month of spring training games remaining, and Cora has time to potentially change his mind on the Opening Day lineup before the team takes the field on March 26.

The takeaway

Cora's projected Opening Day lineup provides clarity on key position battles and the roles of young talents like Anthony and Durbin, while also raising questions about the status of players like Mayer and Yoshida as the Red Sox prepare for the start of the 2026 season.