Red Sox Prospect Mayer Must Earn Roster Spot, Says Manager Cora

Top prospect Marcelo Mayer not guaranteed a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster despite high expectations.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora has stated that top prospect Marcelo Mayer must earn a spot on the team's Opening Day roster this spring, rather than being handed a starting job. Mayer, a 23-year-old infielder, played 44 games in the majors last season but struggled offensively, hitting just .228 with a .674 OPS. Cora wants to see Mayer improve his offense this spring in order to prove he deserves a roster spot, rather than automatically assuming he'll be on the team.

Why it matters

Mayer is considered one of the Red Sox's top prospects, so his potential inclusion or exclusion from the Opening Day roster is a significant decision for the team. Cora's stance suggests the Red Sox want to see Mayer take a step forward offensively before handing him a starting job, rather than relying on his prospect pedigree alone.

The details

Mayer played 44 games for the Red Sox last season, hitting .228 with a .674 OPS and an 85 OPS+, which was slightly below league average. Despite his prospect status, Cora said Mayer needs to "show something this spring" and be "better offensively than he was in the majors last year" in order to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Red Sox have several infield competitions open, including at third base and second base, so Mayer will have to outperform other candidates to secure a starting job.

  • Mayer played 44 games for the Red Sox in the 2025 season.
  • The Red Sox are currently in Spring Training for the 2026 season.

The players

Alex Cora

Manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Marcelo Mayer

A 23-year-old infielder and top prospect in the Boston Red Sox farm system.

Willson Contreras

First baseman for the Boston Red Sox.

Trevor Story

Shortstop for the Boston Red Sox.

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What they’re saying

“Alex Cora said Marcelo Mayer needs to earn a job on the Red Sox Opening Day (roster), needing to show something this spring. Asked what he needs to show, Cora said he needs to be better offensively than he was in the majors last year.”

— Alex Cora, Manager (MassLive)

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to evaluate Mayer and other infield candidates throughout Spring Training, with Mayer needing to demonstrate improved offensive production to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The takeaway

Cora's comments suggest the Red Sox are taking a measured approach with their top prospect Mayer, rather than automatically handing him a starting job. This highlights the team's desire to see continued development from Mayer before fully committing to him as an everyday player, even with his high prospect status.