Caleb Durbin Struggles to Find First Hit with Boston Red Sox

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Caleb Durbin, a former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman now playing for the Boston Red Sox, is off to a rough start, going 0-for-18 with five strikeouts and one walk to begin the 2026 season. Durbin's struggles have coincided with a 1-5 start for the Red Sox, frustrating fans. Meanwhile, some of the players the Brewers received in the trade for Durbin, including pitcher Kyle Harrison, have made strong early-season debuts.

Why it matters

Durbin's slow start has drawn the ire of Red Sox fans, who are eager to see the team's new acquisition produce. The trade that sent Durbin to Boston is also being closely watched, as the Brewers look to have received promising young talent in return. Early-season slumps are common, but Durbin's prolonged hitless streak has become a focal point for the struggling Red Sox.

The details

Durbin is the last remaining qualified Major Leaguer without a hit to start the 2026 season. Other notable players struggling include rising star Roman Anthony, as well as regulars Trevor Story, Willson Contreras and Jarren Duren. However, it's still very early, and 18 at-bats is hardly a fair sample size to judge a player's performance. On the other side of the Durbin trade, the Brewers' acquisitions have shown promise, with pitcher Kyle Harrison delivering a strong first outing and minor-leaguer Shane Drohan also impressing in his debut.

• Durbin is 0-for-18 to start the 2026 season.
• The Red Sox are off to a 1-5 start to begin the year.
• Kyle Harrison, one of the players the Brewers received in the Durbin trade, had a smooth first outing against Tampa Bay on March 30.

What’s next

The judge in Durbin's case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.