Spring Training comes to a close, Red Sox ready to start 2026 season
The trucks are packed, the games have been played, the roster decisions made.
This past week, Grapefruit League action came to an end for the precursor to the 2026 Major League Baseball season.
One of the two teams that call Fort Myers home, the Boston Red Sox, made its final moves to solidify its roster before they headed north to open the season against Cincinnati on Thursday afternoon.
In the spring finale against the other team prepping for the season in Fort Myers, the Minnesota Twins, newly acquired southpaw starter Ranger Suarez made his last tuneup start.
Part of the World Baseball Classic champion team in Venezuela, Suarez got roughed up a bit, allowing eight runs over 4.1 innings, striking our four.
Suarez, who was an All-Star in 2024 with the Phillies and had a career year last season, has taken some extra time to ramp up with the WBC and will slide into the fifth spot in the rotation to start the year.
When asked how he feels about where he is heading into the regular season, Suarez said, “Good. Obviously trying to get into a rhythm. The first inning was kind of ‘meh,’ and then I started to get into a rhythm. The results don’t show that, but I feel good.”
While his usual fastball velocity was down on Tuesday, Suarez said he’s not worried about what the radar gun says at this point in time.
“Obviously we want to throw hard, but the most important part is that I’m healthy. I feel the velocity will come later on.”
One thing is for sure, Suarez is ready to compete in a true game atmosphere, especially following the hype of the WBC.
“During the season it’s different,” Suarez said. “I’m not saying that we don’t prepare for games down here, but the regular season is different. I’m ready to go, I’m ready to throw in a Big League regular season game.”
Suarez will slot into what is regarded as one of the top rotations baseball. Leading the way is Opening Day starter and last year’s Cy Young runner-up, Garret Crochet. Rounding out the rotation is veteran Sonny Grey, youngster and WBC participant Brayan Bello, and 23-year-old Connelly Early, who won the last spot in the rotation this camp with impressive stuff.
Of Boston’s starters, Suarez said, “Excellent. The rotation that we have is one of the best. If we do what we’re supposed to do, we’re going to be very good. I think that’s going to be the case this year.”
Speaking of that fifth spot in the rotation, which was up for grabs between Early, Johan Oviedo and Peyton Tolle, Sox Manager Alex Cora said it was the lefty’s spring, combined with what he showed last season, that gave him the nod.
“The same thing to give me confidence to pitch him in Yankee Stadium in the Wild Card series,” Cora said of why he chose Early. “Stuff-wise, he’s really good. I think he’s up to the challenge. He slows down the moments. He’s getting better.”
Across five games and 17 innings during camp, Early struck out 16 and held a 1.59 ERA. He allowed just three earned runs in Grapefruit League action, posting a 0.94 WHIP.
The No. 3 prospect in the Red Sox system started four games for the team last season, as well as that postseason start against New York. He surrendered just five earned runs across 19 1/3 innings, striking out 29.
Oviedo will come out of the bullpen to start the year.
“Where we’re at rotation-wise right now, it makes sense to have him most likely piggyback somebody the first two times around, and then we’ll reassess the situation,” Cora said.
As for the final position player slot for the Red Sox, it will be Andruw Monasterio departing Fort Myers with the club, with hopes the infielder can provide some production against left-handed pitching following the loss of Romy Gonzalez due to a shoulder injury.
“Just a good athlete. Versatile. A good at-bat against lefties,” Cora said of Monasterio. “Little by little, we’ll get him introduced to the outfield just in case, but we know [Isiah Kiner-Falefa] can do that. We don’t have to push it. I think the first base thing is really good. Both of them have done an amazing job at first, so we’re very comfortable.”
Reassigned to the Minor Leagues was WBC standout Nate Eaton. Connor Wong was also confirmed as the backup catcher to start the year with Mickey Gasper and Matt Thaiss also going to the minors.
“Position player-wise, we’re set,” Cora said. “Where we’re at with the outfielders, it makes sense to carry Andruw. There’s comfort level with Connor. Obviously with the way we’re going to play, having one of those weapons on the bench, we’re probably going to be very aggressive pinch-hitting in certain situations. Having [Wong] behind the plate late in games if he doesn’t start, or the other way around, is a must for me. I’m very comfortable where we’re at. We’re going to be versatile. We’re going to have some good weapons coming off the bench.”
A feel-good story to break camp was Rule 5 Draft pick Ryan Watson making the team.
Watson will slot into the bullpen and serve as a multi-inning guy out of the ‘pen.
“He’s a guy that has a lot of upside,” Cora said. “He’s trending in the right direction. [On Sunday,] he pounded the strike zone for two innings. He’s been doing that lately. He’s a guy that we trust.”
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com