Romy González Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

[Nick John]

It seems that the Red Sox's infield depth has already taken a massive blow before the season has even begun. On Wednesday morning, it was revealed by Romy Gonzalez that the infielder will likely not be ready for Opening Day, a revelation many were not surprised by, considering the infielder's current situation.

Dealing with a shoulder he aggravated back in January after originally injuring it near the end of the 2025 season, González has yet to get into any regimen during spring training. González had previously undergone a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection in late January, but things have not progressed to the point he had hoped.

Per MassLive’ Christopher Smith, González said on Wednesday morning “at this point, I think the ramp-up would be a little too quick and it’d be a disservice I feel like to myself and the team if I’m not ready to roll and have a good build up.”

González will have an evaluation done by the training staff next Friday, but the infielder feels he won’t be able to begin hitting by then.

With González likely headed to the injured list to begin the season, a battle for the utility infield spot on the roster is likely to come down between Nick Sogard and Andruw Monasterio, with the latter having earned praise from manager Alex Cora.

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[moonslav59]

I think Monasterio has the lead for that final slot.

[drewski6]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I think Monasterio has the lead for that final slot.

Theres more than one spot open.  Let the battles begin. 

[notin]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

I think Monasterio has the lead for that final slot.

Most likely.

But with Romy out, IKF can handle any needed 2b platooning.  But what about keeping Mickey Gasper (career MiLB .814 vs LHP, .490 vs MLB LHP but only in 40 PAs) to platoon with Duran at DH in Cincinnati where they should face LHPs Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott in games 2 and 3?

Or keeping Gasper allows Wong to DH those games with no risk of losing the DH…

[mvp 78]

4 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Theres more than one spot open.  Let the battles begin. 

Wong, Masa, Duran, IKF, open spot.

Unless you think they are going to use one of Duran's option years????

[notin]

5 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

Theres more than one spot open.  Let the battles begin. 

I see two, with one bullpen slot likely slated for Zack Kelly and one bench slot going to ?

I am assuming everyone is healthy, Sandoval starts , and Crawford goes to the bullpen, and Oviedo chose to Worcester until needed…

[mvp 78]

8 minutes ago, notin said:

I see two, with one bullpen slot likely slated for Zack Kelly and one bench slot going to ?

I am assuming everyone is healthy, Sandoval starts , and Crawford goes to the bullpen, and Oviedo chose to Worcester until needed…

I wonder if they would send Oviedo to the pen (higher octane arm) and Crawford to WOO.

[notin]

37 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

I wonder if they would send Oviedo to the pen (higher octane arm) and Crawford to WOO.

Either way it leaves one bullpen spot open for the rather unexciting Zack Kelly…

[davidrw]

Brutal timing Romy was one of the few bright spots against lefties last year. At least Monasterio is swinging a hot bat this spring, but losing that platoon depth hurts.

[mvp 78]

11 minutes ago, notin said:

Either way it leaves one bullpen spot open for the rather unexciting Zack Kelly…

For now. I think that eventually becomes Tolle's spot in the pen. 

[moonslav59]

1 hour ago, mvp 78 said:

Wong, Masa, Duran, IKF, open spot.

 

Duran will be the near FT DH. He may end up being platooned, but I think Cora lets him play FT, at least until Romy returns. By then, we may have a better idea who needs the platoon: Mayer or Duran. (Possibly Abreu.)

With Duran DH'ing, there is no need for Masa on the 26, but he has to agree to go to AAA.

[mvp 78]

7 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Duran will be the near FT DH. He may end up being platooned, but I think Cora lets him play FT, at least until Romy returns. By then, we may have a better idea who needs the platoon: Mayer or Duran. (Possibly Abreu.)

With Duran DH'ing, there is no need for Masa on the 26, but he has to agree to go to AAA.

There is no need for Masa. Most of us agree on that. I think we are hoping for him to have a massive WBC and some other org takes a flier on him. 

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

Wong, Masa, Duran, IKF, open spot.

Unless you think they are going to use one of Duran's option years????

I dont think Mayer has a guaranteed spot on the this team.

[drewski6]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

I wonder if they would send Oviedo to the pen (higher octane arm) and Crawford to WOO.

Let em battle.

[drewski6]

42 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

Duran will be the near FT DH. He may end up being platooned, but I think Cora lets him play FT, at least until Romy returns. By then, we may have a better idea who needs the platoon: Mayer or Duran. (Possibly Abreu.)

With Duran DH'ing, there is no need for Masa on the 26, but he has to agree to go to AAA.

Let the chips fall where they may.  Im confident in my guys.  Are you confident in yours?

[drewski6]

36 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

There is no need for Masa. Most of us agree on that. I think we are hoping for him to have a massive WBC and some other org takes a flier on him. 

KC has to earn his way onto the team first (pushing Roman to DH).

[moonslav59]

9 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think Mayer has a guaranteed spot on the this team.

I agree. If he doesn't win a strong side platoon role, they won't stash him on the MLB bench. He'll play everyday in AAA.

I do think he'll win that slot. 

[drewski6]

Just now, moonslav59 said:

I agree. If he doesn't win a strong side platoon role, they won't stash him on the MLB bench. He'll play everyday in AAA.

I do think he'll win that slot. 

My opening day lineup:

Anthony (LF)
Story (SS)
Duran (CF)
Contreras (1b)
Abreu (RF)
Masa (DH)
Durbin (3b)
Narvaez (C)
Cedanne (2b)
Bench: Eaton, IKF, Wong, Monasterio

(next 2 days vs lefties)
Eaton (3B)
Anthony (DH)
Story (SS)
Contreras (1b)
Duran (LF)
Durbin (2b)
Abreu (RF)
Narvaez (C)
Cedanne (CF)
 

[mvp 78]

46 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think Mayer has a guaranteed spot on the this team.

So they'd put Sogard on the team instead? 

[mvp 78]

43 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

KC has to earn his way onto the team first (pushing Roman to DH).

Roman is a better OFer and has always profiled that way. No reason to push him to DH to make room for KC.

[drewski6]

6 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Roman is a better OFer and has always profiled that way. No reason to push him to DH to make room for KC.

Roman Anthony is not particularly athletic or fleet-footed.  And at 21, I expect him to bulk further, add weight/power but it may cost him the ability to play OF. KC is more nimble/athletic/fast.  Just a better body type for OF.  But we'll see.  It would be a good thing, as far as Im concerned, if Roman loses his ability to play OF.  Because it means he got yoked and could turn into the best hitter in baseball.  And I dont believe that DHs are just DHs.  I think in most cases, your best hitter should DH, keep him healthy.  Unless you have another awesome you need to DH.  In 2026, Manny would DH, for example, but not if Ortiz is on the team. 

[drewski6]

11 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

So they'd put Sogard on the team instead? 

I think Eaton makes it over Mayer (to start)

Mostly because Mayer will still be ramping up, not because he will have perma lost his role for 2026.  The most likley scenario is someone gets dinged up a bit between now and opening day and it works itself out.

[drewski6]

I like Roman at DH because I dont like when they fight against the body type.  Like how they kept Xander lean intentionally so he could stay at SS.  I think the better approach is to let the body do what the body naturally wants to do, and if that changes a position - I just dont care.  I take the muscles over the ability to play better D.

[notin]

2 hours ago, mvp 78 said:

For now. I think that eventually becomes Tolle's spot in the pen. 

McAdam stated the Sox have no plans to put Tolle or Early in the bullpen…

[notin]

1 hour ago, drewski6 said:

I dont think Mayer has a guaranteed spot on the this team.

Only injury keeps him off…

[notin]

54 minutes ago, moonslav59 said:

I agree. If he doesn't win a strong side platoon role, they won't stash him on the MLB bench. He'll play everyday in AAA.

I do think he'll win that slot. 

Who is he going to lose it to? Sogard? Monasterio?  Romero?

I think Mayer is a lock if healthy…

 

[notin]

6 minutes ago, drewski6 said:

I like Roman at DH because I dont like when they fight against the body type.  Like how they kept Xander lean intentionally so he could stay at SS.  I think the better approach is to let the body do what the body naturally wants to do, and if that changes a position - I just dont care.  I take the muscles over the ability to play better D.

What if his body wants to gorge itself on bacon triple cheeseburgers and milkshakes?

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

Only injury keeps him off…

Im not sure this is the case for opening day.  His eventual spot on the 2026 team, yes.  He'll either need to completely forget how to hit or get hurt.  But Im not sure hes ready by opening day, and with 2 lefties in the opening series, he might take spend the first week or so in AAA especially because I dont think hes swung a bat since he hurt his wrist last year.

Im not down on him.  Because he hit the gym.  Hard to bench him after doing what they asked.  I think hes behind though.

[drewski6]

Just now, notin said:

What if his body wants to gorge itself on hamburgers and milkshakes?

Willpower comes from the brain.

[drewski6]

3 minutes ago, notin said:

What if his body wants to gorge itself on bacon triple cheeseburgers and milkshakes?

Who even eats triple cheeseburgers.  Just make 2 burgers.