FORT MYERS, Fla. – It was almost a month ago Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that the baton was being passed to Marcelo Mayer, but that the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft would have to run with it if he wanted to make the team as the Opening Day second baseman.
Mayer has stayed full speed ahead in his pursuit, and that figurative baton still seems to be firmly in his grasp.
The left-handed hitter seems ever so close to winning a roster spot and a spot in the everyday lineup, but Cora isn’t ready to make any proclamations with one week until the Red Sox break camp in preparation for Opening Day in Cincinnati on March 26.
“He's playing well. He's playing really well,” said Cora. “And obviously, we have to make a decision. We haven't made that decision, but so far, he's been checking all the boxes.”
A natural shortstop who mainly played third base in his abbreviated first Major League season in ‘25, Mayer has made a smooth transition to second base, where he already has chemistry with veteran shortstop Trevor Story. That is one box checked.
“Up the middle, you got to understand your partner,” said Mayer. “You’ve got to know where they like the ball, how fast they like the ball. So those are things that you need to work on before the season starts. And then obviously we've talked about that. We've worked. We’re getting a really good understanding of each other.”
He has made solid contact at the plate while putting up a .250/.400/.375 slash line. Another box checked.
And the biggest box -- proving that his surgically repaired right wrist is at full health -- has a checkmark next to it at this late juncture of Spring Training.
Does Mayer think he’s done enough to earn a seat on the team charter to Cincinnati in a week?
“Those decisions aren't really up to me. I feel like I've done a really good job with what I need to do this spring,” said Mayer. “Ultimately, those aren't my decisions. I just go out there and play as hard as I can, and wherever the chips fall, they fall. But yeah, I'm excited for the season, hopefully that's in Cincinnati. If not, I think I'll help the team down the road, whenever it is.”
Mayer indicated that Cora hasn’t told him much more privately than what he’s said publicly.
“Not much. I mean, we have a good relationship,” Mayer said. “So my job is to just go out there and play as hard as I can. They have different jobs to do. They’ve got to handle a whole clubhouse. I’ve just got to go out there and be a really good teammate. And, like I said, go out there and try to do my job to the best of my ability.”
Clearly, Mayer doesn’t want to go back to Triple-A. Not with his best friend and World Baseball Classic hero Roman Anthony set to experience his first Opening Day.
Given the depth of their relationship -- Mayer and Anthony have been housemates for years -- it would only be fitting for them to experience this next milestone in their progression together.
“Of course, as a player, you want to be there for Opening Day,” said Mayer. “I've never experienced one, so I definitely want to experience that. But yeah, we'll see what happens. There's like 10 more days left of spring, so I'm sure there'll be a decision made soon, and whatever it is, just got to keep working and playing hard.”
Mayer missed a game on Sunday due to some soreness in his right knee. But it cleared up by the next day, and he took two at-bats in a Triple-A game before starting on Tuesday at second base for the Red Sox.
“It feels really good right now, which is a great sign,” said Mayer. “It was just sore [on Sunday]. I felt like part of it was just due to the new position. Taking reps at a different position requires moving your body differently. So yeah, moving my body to the right is not something I've done in my career. Doing that a lot of times at a fast pace, I think just gave me some soreness there, but it feels really good now.”