As enthused as the Red Sox were to return to postseason play last year, everyone in the organization acknowledged the run was far too short.
Manager Alex Cora’s squad lost a winner-take-all Game 3 of their AL Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium. For the fourth consecutive October, Fenway Park didn’t host a playoff game.
The obvious goal this year is to move the ball forward and make a prolonged October run. After an offseason that included two key starting pitching acquisitions in Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez, and a third who has the potential to be a key contributor to the rotation in Johan Oviedo, the Red Sox will lean into run prevention in ‘26.
But Boston also acquired a veteran hitter who can help the team put runs on the board in veteran first baseman Willson Contreras and a versatile defender with athleticism in Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Without further ado, here is a primer to get you ready for the start of Spring Training.
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Feb. 10.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Feb. 15.
Where is the team’s facility?
The Red Sox train in Fort Myers, Fla., at the sprawling Fenway South complex, which includes JetBlue Park, the team’s venue for Grapefruit League home games since 2012. Fenway South is located on Daniels Parkway, and it is in close proximity to the airport and a variety of shops and restaurants.
Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, fans are welcome to attend all workouts free of charge. Typically, the team starts working out a little before 10 a.m. ET each day.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
Gray, Suárez, Oviedo and Contreras are the newcomers fans will want to pay the closest attention to. At 36 years old, Gray has continued to reinvent himself with his pitchability. Similarly, the left-handed Suárez is a pitcher and not a thrower. He is also one of the most successful postseason performers in recent years. Contreras is the definition of a professional hitter and the owner of a 2016 World Series ring with the Cubs. Kiner-Falefa should also play an important role on the team, though it isn’t clear yet what that will be.
Who are some of the top prospects to watch at Major League camp?
Lefties Payton Tolle and Connelly Early -- who cracked MLB Pipeline’s preseason Top 100 Prospects list at Nos. 19 and 56, respectively -- made their presence felt at the Major League level last September and even got a brief taste of the postseason in the Bronx. While Boston has a lot of pitching depth, Tolle and Early will try to crack the rotation with strong camps. Several other club Top 30 prospects will get looks at camp, including infielder Mikey Romero (No. 6), lefty starter Jake Bennett (No. 7; acquired from the Nats in December), outfielder Allan Castro (No. 19), righty Tyler Uberstine (No. 29) and lefty Shane Drohan (No. 30).
When is the team’s first Grapefruit League game?
Feb. 21, on the road against the Twins. The first home game is Feb. 22 against the defending AL champion Blue Jays.
What are a few other notable spring games?
The first game action for the Red Sox will be the annual exhibition against Northeastern University on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. at JetBlue Park. Team Puerto Rico will play against Boston in a World Baseball Classic tuneup at JetBlue on March 3. The first rivalry matchup against the Yankees will be at home on March 4, and the sides square off again in Tampa on March 18.
What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
This is a four-day event showcasing the current stars of Minor League Baseball. This year, games will be played across the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues from March 19-22. Boston will send its premier prospects on the road to face the best of Baltimore’s farm system under the lights in Sarasota at 6:05 p.m. on March 20.
Will the team’s games be televised?
NESN, NESN+ and the RSN’s NESN 360 app will carry many games during Spring Training, though the schedule hasn’t been announced yet. The weekends, in particular, are typically populated with televised games.
When is the club’s last game in Florida?
The Red Sox will finish their stint in Fort Myers with a home game against the Twins on March 23 and a road game against the Twins the next day. Those last two games aren’t classified as Grapefruit League contests.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
Nothing in a Major League park. The home-and-home matchups with the Twins on March 23-24 will serve as Boston's final tuneups.
What are the details for Opening Day?
For the first time in their history, the Red Sox will open their season in Cincinnati, marking a matchup between two of MLB’s most historic franchises. The opener of the three-game series will be on March 26 at 4:10 p.m. Following a built-in rain date on March 27, the teams will square off again beginning at 4:10 p.m. on March 28. The set wraps up on March 29 with a 1:40 p.m. first pitch before Boston heads to the second and final stop of its season-opening road trip, in Houston. The Red Sox open their Fenway slate on April 3 against the Padres.