Since the beginning of the season, the Boston Red Sox have looked utterly lost at the plate, and implementing an entirely new coaching staff hasn't helped matters. But the Red Sox can expect a key offensive reinforcement back in the lineup within the month.
Romy Gonzalez underwent surgery in March to repair a shoulder injury that began late in 2025 and lingered into the offseason. Gonzalez has been on the 60-day injured list since March 12 and initially hoped to be activated shortly after his stint expires.
The Red Sox may not see Gonzalez in action that soon, but he's making his way back. According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, the utility player is scheduled to start swinging a bat on Friday, May 15. Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reported that Gonzalez played catch for the first time on May 9 and he was seen before Boston's May 12 game throwing on the field (subscription required).
Gonzalez was one of the Red Sox's most consistent hitters last season and his return could bring a real spark to the lineup. In 2025, he batted .305/.343/.483 over 96 games and hit lefties at a .331/.378/.600 clip. Boston has racked up a .270/.332/.408 slash line against southpaws, which ties three other teams for the second-best average against lefties in the league, but any improvements to those numbers would be welcome.
Romy Gonzalez getting closer to Red Sox return, scheduled to swing for the first time since shoulder surgery on May 15
Missed seeing this face on the field 🥹
— NESN (@NESN) May 12, 2026
Romy Gonzalez getting a toss in ahead of tonight's game ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/mC92pmjQ0r
Where Gonzalez will play when he returns to the Red Sox is still a mystery. He got into 58 games as a first baseman last season after Triston Casas' injury and Abraham Toro's designation for assignment, but Willson Contreras has held the corner down exceptionally well since his arrival in Boston. The Red Sox could option Andruw Monasterio to the minor leagues and play Gonzalez as a utility player in his spot. A more desperate option could be playing Gonzalez at third base and using Caleb Durbin as a utility player after his slow offensive start.
According to Healey, the Red Sox expect Gonzalez back around three months after his operation, which would put his return around June 12. Boston could be well out of the playoff race by then — it's a miracle it's still in it now, most of the American League has been awful this year — but if it isn't, Gonzalez could be a much-needed offensive boost for the lineup that has underwhelmed so severely thus far.
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