Red Sox 28-Year-Old Has Early Lead to Replace Injured Romy González

Andruw Monasterio emerges as frontrunner for utility role with Romy González out for 2+ months

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:03pm

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The Boston Red Sox will be without infielder Romy González for at least the first two months of the 2026 season after he underwent shoulder surgery. With González on the 60-day injured list, 28-year-old Andruw Monasterio has emerged as the early favorite to claim the utility infield role, edging out incumbent Nick Sogard.

Why it matters

The Red Sox will need to find a capable replacement for González, who was expected to provide versatility and depth off the bench. Monasterio's strong spring training performance and success against left-handed pitching last season give him an advantage, though Sogard's prior MLB experience could also factor into the decision.

The details

Monasterio, acquired from the Brewers in a trade last month, has slashed .308/.424/.462 with one home run and five RBIs in 11 spring training games so far. He had an .837 OPS against lefties in 2025 with Milwaukee. Sogard, who has 61 games of MLB experience with the Red Sox over the past two seasons, is considered the incumbent but lacks Monasterio's offensive upside.

  • González underwent shoulder surgery and was placed on the 60-day injured list, ruling him out for roughly the first two months of the 2026 season.

The players

Romy González

Boston Red Sox infielder who is expected to miss at least the first two months of the 2026 season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Andruw Monasterio

28-year-old utility player acquired by the Red Sox in a trade with the Brewers, who has emerged as the early favorite to replace the injured González on the roster.

Nick Sogard

Utility infielder who has 61 games of MLB experience with the Red Sox over the past two seasons and is also in contention for the roster spot vacated by González's injury.

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What they’re saying

“The Red Sox confirmed late Thursday that González underwent an 'arthroscopic debridement.' He is on the 60-day injured list and ruled out for roughly the first two months of the regular season. That leaves Andruw Monasterio and Nick Sogard as the principal challengers.”

— Sean McAdam, MassLive.com reporter (MassLive.com)

“Sogard has a bit of an incumbency edge, having gotten into 61 games with the Sox over the last two years as an up-and-down infield option. He's not much of a threat with the bat (career OPS+ of 85), but he's either league average or a little better at several infield positions and is athletic enough to help out in the outfield, too.”

— Sean McAdam, MassLive.com reporter (MassLive.com)

“Give a slight edge to Monasterio, who probably possesses a higher ceiling. But don't rule out Sogard completely.”

— Sean McAdam, MassLive.com reporter (MassLive.com)

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to evaluate Monasterio and Sogard throughout the remainder of spring training before making a decision on the final roster spot.

The takeaway

The Red Sox will need to find a capable replacement for the injured Romy González, and 28-year-old Andruw Monasterio has emerged as the early frontrunner based on his strong spring training performance and previous success against left-handed pitching. However, the veteran Sogard's prior MLB experience could also factor into the decision.