Why Red Sox Are Already Ready To Withstand Spring Training Injuries

The Boston Red Sox already have a reason to be thankful for a good problem to have on the roster.

Wilyer Abreu came to spring training with a virus, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford are both behind on throwing programs and bullpen candidate Zach Penrod could miss significant time.

The Red Sox took time this offseason to bolster talent and depth at several spots on the roster. The outfield and the starting rotation led that initiative, and Boston will be ready to combat those roster adjustments if any issues continue to Opening Day.

Boston considered a six-man rotation at different points of the offseason. Current contenders for the rotation are Crawford, Bello, Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito and Walker Buehler. If either Crawford or Bello are not ready by late March, the Red Sox have depth to fill a competent five-man rotation. Boston also has MLB-ready depth at Triple-A Worcester in Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester and Hunter Dobbins.

As for the outfield with Abreu, who started and won a Gold Glove in 2024 in right field, the Red Sox have options with Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela established. Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell have windows to make the Opening Day roster. Rob Refsnyder can play as the normal fourth outfielder as well.

The Red Sox do have a logjam in spots, and when the roster is fully healthy, truly decisive decisions will have to be made to finalize spots.