Red Sox Catchers Struggle and Succeed as Cora Plays Coy

Manager Alex Cora dodges questions about starting catcher role amid mixed performances from Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 9:39pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion and energy of a baseball game, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in a vibrant color palette.The Red Sox's catching situation remains a complex puzzle, with manager Alex Cora juggling the strengths and struggles of Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong.Boston Today

Red Sox manager Alex Cora is being coy about his team's catching situation, as both Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong have shown both success and struggles at the plate this season. Narváez was initially named the starting catcher but is off to a slow start, while Wong has been more productive in limited playing time. Cora is not committing to a clear-cut starter, saying the team is focused on winning games rather than individual roles.

Why it matters

The Red Sox catching situation is an important storyline to follow, as the team's success could hinge on getting consistent production from behind the plate. Narváez and Wong both have strengths and weaknesses, and Cora's handling of the position battle could impact the team's overall performance.

The details

Narváez was named the Red Sox's starting catcher to start the season, but he is off to a slow start, hitting just .195 with no extra-base hits or RBIs through 12 games. Meanwhile, Wong has been more productive in limited playing time, batting .381 with four doubles. Cora has been reluctant to commit to either player as the clear-cut starter, saying 'He's a catcher for the team. Both of them.' Both catchers played through injuries last season, undergoing offseason surgeries, and Cora believes Wong has benefited from working with Narváez and the team's catching instructor.

  • Narváez was named the Red Sox's starting catcher at the start of spring training.
  • Through 12 games this season, Narváez is batting .195 with no extra-base hits or RBIs.
  • Wong has played in 8 of the Red Sox's first 19 games, batting .381 with 4 doubles.

The players

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who is being coy about his team's catching situation and not committing to a clear-cut starter between Carlos Narváez and Connor Wong.

Carlos Narváez

The Red Sox's initial starting catcher this season, who is off to a slow start at the plate, hitting .195 with no extra-base hits or RBIs through 12 games.

Connor Wong

The Red Sox's backup catcher, who has been more productive at the plate this season, batting .381 with 4 doubles in limited playing time.

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What they’re saying

“He's a catcher for the team. Both of them.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“Last year he was hitting the ball hard early on. He was out for a while, only had like, two rehab games, and never found his rhythm.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“I talked to them and said, 'Let's work together to make (playing) happen.' The amazing group that we had, I knew we were getting ready for a postseason, and I just felt my team needed (me). I said, 'Please help me to get through to the end.' … Especially the last two months, I felt my knee every day. It was crazy, because it wasn't only a pain, it was like a click. (My leg) got locked up.”

— Carlos Narváez, Red Sox Catcher

What’s next

Cora will likely continue to rotate Narváez and Wong behind the plate, with the goal of keeping both players fresh and productive as the Red Sox navigate a busy stretch of games around the Boston Marathon.

The takeaway

The Red Sox's catching situation remains fluid, with Cora unwilling to anoint a clear-cut starter between the struggling Narváez and the more productive Wong. The team's success may hinge on getting consistent production from the position, and Cora's ability to manage the playing time and roles of the two catchers could be a key factor in the team's performance.