Romy Gonzalez broke out for the Boston Red Sox in 2025. In 2024, he posted 0.9 bWAR in 89 games after Boston claimed him off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. He doubled his WAR output in 2025 to 2.0 while only playing 96 games.
Gonzalez was the Red Sox's lefty killer. In 143 plate appearances against southpaws last year, the righty hit .331 with a .978 OPS, hit seven of his nine homers, and had a 174 OPS+ against lefties (meaning he was 74% better than the average hitter against them).
The utility player has worn multiple hats for the Sox in his two-year tenure with the club. In his first season, he saw time at all four infield positions as well as quick appearances in all three outfield spots. In '25, he spent a little more than half his innings at first base, with most of the rest at second, and a few innings at third. He also took on a greater role at the plate, getting more than half his ABs against right-handed pitchers, to a modest output.
Headed into 2026, Gonzalez was supposed to shift back to a second base/third base role, but a shoulder injury suffered late last season has almost completely held him out of any workouts to start this spring. It doesn't seem like he will be ready for Opening Day, which leaves his spot on the roster open for competition.
3 players with an easier path to Opening Day roster after Romy Gonzalez’s injury
Andruw Monasterio
It seemed a bit odd when the Sox got two extra infielders in the Caleb Durbin deal, especially one with a similar skill set to Gonzalez, but now it looks like excellent planning. Monasterio saw time at first, second and third base, shortstop and left field last year, and he kills lefties.
As long as the righty has a solid spring, he's got the easiest path to that roster spot. He also has minor league options available, which means he can be sent to Triple-A once Gonzalez is ready, adding to his case.
Nick Sogard
Sogard has proven himself to the organization over the last two seasons as a reliable bench player. He also provides the positional versatility needed to replace Gonzalez. While he isn't as good at the plate as Gonzalez and Monasterio, he brings switch-hitting versatility, which is his biggest distinguishing asset.
Brendan Rodgers
The former third overall pick signed with the Sox late in the offseason on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. His path is certainly the hardest because the Red Sox would need to make room for him on the 40-man, but he is a career .295 hitter versus lefties.
Rodgers has only played second base since 2022, but with players like Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, and Durbin all being positionally versatile, Rodgers only being limited to second isn't the worst thing in the world. He's a former Gold Glove winner and hasn't put up a negative bWAR in a season where he played more than 40 games. If he shows out in spring, he could find some playing time for Boston early in the season.