Red Sox Spring Training: Who's Hot and Who's Not?

Some players are shining early, while others face uphill battles in Boston

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:26am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Red Sox baseball game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, capturing the raw energy and motion of the sport.A cubist interpretation of the dynamic action and energy of a Red Sox spring training game.Boston Today

As the Boston Red Sox's spring training camp heats up, certain players are already turning heads - for better or worse. Some bright spots include outfielder Wilyer Abreu, reliever Aroldis Chapman, and first baseman Triston Casas, while challenges have emerged for infielder Romy Gonzalez, pitcher Kutter Crawford, and designated hitter Masataka Yoshida.

Why it matters

The early performances of Red Sox players in spring training provide a glimpse into the team's potential strengths and weaknesses heading into the new season. Strong showings from key contributors like Abreu, Chapman, and Casas could boost the team's championship aspirations, while injuries and roster battles involving Gonzalez, Crawford, and Yoshida could create uncertainty and impact the team's depth and lineup decisions.

The details

Wilyer Abreu has impressed with his defensive prowess and is expected to be an everyday fixture in the Red Sox's crowded outfield. Aroldis Chapman has continued to display excellent command of his pitches, building on his dominant 2025 campaign. Triston Casas is making good progress in his recovery from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely. Meanwhile, Romy Gonzalez is dealing with a lingering shoulder issue, Kutter Crawford fell ill with the flu, and Masataka Yoshida's future with the team remains uncertain due to the team's outfield depth and Triston Casas' return.

  • The Red Sox's spring training camp officially opened over a week and a half ago.
  • The team's first official Grapefruit League games are just a few days away.

The players

Wilyer Abreu

A right fielder who has won back-to-back Gold Glove awards in his first two full seasons in the majors. He is expected to be an everyday fixture in the Red Sox's lineup, particularly against left-handed pitching.

Aroldis Chapman

A dominant relief pitcher who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career in 2025, thanks to improved command of his pitches.

Triston Casas

The Red Sox's powerful slugging first baseman/designated hitter who is recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon that ended his 2025 season prematurely.

Romy Gonzalez

An infielder who is battling a shoulder injury that has lingered since late last season, putting his availability for the start of the 2026 season in doubt.

Kutter Crawford

A right-handed pitcher who is competing for a spot in the starting rotation but has fallen behind after missing time due to the flu, which caused him to lose significant weight.

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What they’re saying

“You can see right now it wasn't a fluke.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“I saw him jumping for some throws yesterday, moving to his right, to his left, it's impressive.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“It's still early. You never know what could happen in a week.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

What’s next

The Red Sox will continue to monitor the progress and health of their players throughout the remainder of spring training, as they finalize their roster and prepare for the start of the 2026 regular season.

The takeaway

The early performances in Red Sox spring training camp have provided a mixed bag, with some key players shining and others facing early setbacks. The team will need to navigate these challenges and ensure their core contributors are healthy and ready to go if they hope to contend for a championship in 2026.