Red Sox's Alex Cora Teases Marcelo Mayer Opening Day Decision

Mayer has impressed in spring training and is likely to win the second base job.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 12:35am

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The Boston Red Sox are still finalizing their Opening Day infield, but manager Alex Cora has hinted that top prospect Marcelo Mayer is likely to be the team's starting second baseman. Mayer has played well in spring training, batting .250 with a home run, and Cora has praised his defensive abilities, saying he has "been checking all the boxes." While the team hasn't officially announced the decision, it appears Mayer's time with the big league club is coming.

Why it matters

Mayer is one of the Red Sox's top young talents, and securing the starting second base job would be a major milestone in his development. The Red Sox are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season, and solidifying their infield with a promising prospect like Mayer could be a key part of their turnaround plans.

The details

Willson Contreras will be the Red Sox's starting first baseman, Trevor Story will be at shortstop, and Caleb Durbin is expected to start at third base. That leaves second base as the only open spot in the infield, and Mayer appears to have the inside track. The 23-year-old former top prospect has impressed in spring training, batting .250 with a home run, six walks, and a .775 OPS in nine games. Cora has praised Mayer's defensive abilities and said the team is still evaluating their options, but the manager's comments suggest Mayer is the frontrunner to win the job.

  • Mayer made his MLB debut in 2025, playing in 44 games.
  • The Red Sox open the 2026 season on March 28.

The players

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Marcelo Mayer

A 23-year-old top prospect for the Boston Red Sox who is expected to win the starting second base job for the 2026 season.

Willson Contreras

The Boston Red Sox's starting first baseman for the 2026 season.

Trevor Story

The Boston Red Sox's starting shortstop for the 2026 season.

Caleb Durbin

The Boston Red Sox's expected starting third baseman for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“He's playing well. He's playing really well. And obviously we have to make a decision. We haven't made that decision, but so far, he's been checking all the boxes.”

— Alex Cora, Manager (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Red Sox will need to officially announce their Opening Day roster, which will confirm whether Marcelo Mayer has won the starting second base job.

The takeaway

The Red Sox are high on Marcelo Mayer's potential, and his strong spring training performance has him on the verge of securing a starting infield spot on Opening Day. If Mayer can solidify second base, the Red Sox could field one of the most talented infields in baseball, which would be a key part of their efforts to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season.