The Boston Red Sox's pitchers and catchers are set to report to spring training on Feb. 12, with the whole squad due days after. But some players have been in action for weeks, and some have already arrived at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida.
Alex Speier reported on Feb. 7 that it looked like spring training had already begun at the Red Sox's facility. Over two dozen Red Sox have arrived before camp to begin their 2025 work early. There aren't as many new faces present as Boston fans would've hoped for after it missed the playoffs for the third-straight season in 2024, but some of the players they do have are already going above and beyond.
Most notably, Speier reported that Rafael Devers has been in Fort Myers since mid-January. The third baseman usually works with a private trainer in Tampa Bay before he reports to the Red Sox's facility a few days before the official start of camp. Devers reported especially early this year after months of rumors that his job at third base could be in jeopardy if the Sox sign Alex Bregman or trade for Nolan Arenado.
Devers battled shoulder injuries for much of the 2024 slate, but still posted a .272/.354/.516 slash line and .871 OPS over 138 games. He even improved his defense at third base, although it still leaves much to be desired. Hopefully, Devers' early report to spring training is a sign of a stronger season coming as Boston's failed pursuits of Bregman and Juan Soto keep him the "face of the franchise" for another year.
Many Red Sox have arrived early to spring training including Rafael Devers, Kristian Campbell
Welcome to baseball season, folks!
— Lauren Campbell 👾 (@lalalalaurrrren) February 10, 2025
Garrett Whitlock is here in Fort Myers.
Many Red Sox players have arrived ahead of the official report date. pic.twitter.com/GdYn43jAvF
Masataka Yoshida is also among the Red Sox who have already arrived at spring training, and Speier reports that he looks visibly stronger than before. Yoshida underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum this offseason, and Boston hopes he'll be ready to play on Opening Day but has not confirmed a timetable for the lefty's recovery.
Top prospect Kristian Campbell has reported to Fort Myers early as he hopes to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster, most likely at second base. Speier also shared that Brayan Bello, Brennan Bernardino, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Romy Gonzalez, Justin Slaten, and Greg Weissert arrived before the pitchers and catchers report date.
Giolito has been throwing for weeks after recovering from the internal brace procedure and is already throwing off the mound before camp begins. The righty is expected to post a full, healthy season and, hopefully, a bounce-back year after his two most recent seasons were underwhelming. Giolito posted a 4.89 ERA over 346 innings with three different teams in his last two campaigns.
Despite their few free agent additions (fans expected Boston to go much bigger this offseason after its third-straight playoff miss and bold promises from the end-of-season press conference), the Red Sox are still ready to get to work. The American League is wide open in 2025 with few clear frontrunners, and even without top-tier additions, Boston could take advantage.