The Boston Red Sox will likely be without one of the team’s most impactful depth pieces to start the season.
Utility infielder Romy González played great for the Red Sox last season, slashing .305/.343/.483 with nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 96 games. Unfortunately for Boston, the 29-year-old is dealing with a lingering shoulder injury that will likely keep him out to start the season.
The Red Sox emphasized adding infield depth toward the end of the offseason after whiffing on bringing back Alex Bregman, so missing González to begin the season could take a toll. It will also open the door for former first-round draft pick Mikey Romero, with MLB.com’s Ian Browne calling him a “dark horse” candidate to make Boston’s opening day roster.
“Though the Red Sox seem to lead the universe in utility infield depth, Romero has a chance to beat out the field with a strong camp,” Browne wrote Sunday. “A first-round selection by Boston in the 2022 Draft, Romero continues to get unprompted mentions from manager Alex Cora.
“In particular, Romero has impressed team evaluators with his physicality, as he is at last back to 100 percent after spending his first couple of pro seasons bogged down by injuries. Splitting last season between Double-A and Triple-A, Romero belted 17 homers. With Romy Gonzalez (left shoulder injury) appearing unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, that creates a possible opening for Romero and several other players in camp.”
The Red Sox drafted Romero in the first round of the 2022 draft, and the 22-year-old infielder has worked his way up through Boston’s farm system. Across Double-A and Triple-A last season, Romero clubbed 17 home runs while driving in 76 runs, and offers the Red Sox a versatile defender to bridge the gap until González’s return.
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