FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The precise alignment of the way Red Sox manager Alex Cora will organize his infield is not quite finalized, but that day is getting closer.
Trade acquisition Caleb Durbin will be part of the team’s everyday nine, likely at third base, where he again started on Tuesday against the Pirates.
But Cora expects Durbin will get a look at second base later this week, perhaps on Thursday against the Rays.
Meanwhile, Marcelo Mayer -- the other key piece to the puzzle -- will make his Spring Training debut on the road Friday against the Braves at second base.
Coming off right wrist surgery, the Sox initially had Mayer on a slower progression hitting-wise than the other position players. Now, he is getting back up to speed with the rest of the group.
“Now, he's just adding to his hitting program. He's doing everything,” said Cora. “He's just adding the velo machine and the Trajekt. He’s doing Trajekt again today. I think it's the third time in the last four. So he'll be ready for games on Friday.”
Much like Durbin, Mayer has the versatility to play third and second. Mayer might also get a start at third before Cora decides which way he is going to go with this. The manager also said late last week that Mayer, who was inconsistent at the plate in his abbreviated rookie season, will have to earn his way onto the team.
Does Cora have a date in mind for settling the third base/second base situation?
“The sooner the better,” Cora said.
The key reason for having a little urgency in the timing is so shortstop Trevor Story can get acclimated with his double-play partner.
One hint of the way it will likely go is that Mayer has been working with Story in nearly all infield drills this spring, though there have been a couple of occasions he didn’t.
Durbin played in 10 games at second base for the Brewers last season, but started only three. Mayer made 28 starts at third and seven at second in his rookie season.
If Mayer doesn’t earn his spot on the team, Isiah Kiner-Falefa could temporarily hold down second base – at least until Romy Gonzalez (left shoulder) is healthy. A dark horse candidate to keep in mind is Mikey Romero (club's No. 6 prospect).
The team’s first-round selection from the 2021 Draft, Mayer dealt with injuries in his first three seasons in the Minors, but he was fully healthy last year.
“We’ve been trying to put him at second base as much as possible, that’s for my benefit,” said Cora. “Obviously we’re going to move him around during the season. But the guy can hit. He’s a good hitter. He did an amazing job physically.
“You see the difference compared to last year, and he's gonna keep getting better. His path has been different with everything that has happened with him the last few years. He's still very young, and he's learning, but I think in the batter's box, he really has an idea of what he wants to do.”
Gray day set for Saturday
Offseason trade acquisition Sonny Gray, who is on the “veteran program”, as Cora put it earlier this week, will make his first start in a Boston uniform on Saturday at home against the Twins.
The 36-year-old joins Garrett Crochet and Ranger Suárez as a formidable trio at the top of Boston’s rotation.
It could be three for the fifth spot
While the initial list of candidates competing for the fifth spot in the Boston rotation had five candidates in Johan Oviedo, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford, it might be down to three, at least for the start of the season.
Sandoval and Crawford both didn’t pitch in 2025 due to injuries, and haven’t been put on the schedule yet for Grapefruit League games. The calendar alone might make it hard for them to make enough progress to be ready for Opening Day.
Sandoval will throw at least one more live batting practice before he is cleared for games. Crawford’s next session will be an up-and-down, but not against hitters.
“They're behind,” said Cora. “But [they are] trending in the right direction.”