For someone whose tenure with the Boston Red Sox began as a waiver claim, Romy Gonzalez has been a remarkably valuable and versatile addition. After a breakout season in 2025, Red Sox fans were excited to see what more Gonzalez can bring.
Unfortunately, his 2026 debut will be delayed. Gonzalez arrived at spring training with a lingering shoulder injury from the end of last season. The Red Sox hoped a platelet-rich plasma injection would help him to be ready before Opening Day, but a February 25 report from Christopher Smith of MassLive has provided an update on his timeline.
“Honestly, I don’t think so,” Gonzalez said when asked if he'd be ready to play by Opening Day. “At this point, I think the ramp-up would be a little too quick and it’d be a disservice I feel like to myself and the team if I’m not ready to roll and have a good build up."
After the Red Sox whiffed on Alex Bregman and their many other offseason infield candidates and before landing Caleb Durbin, some insiders theorized that Gonzalez would be the Opening Day second baseman while Marcelo Mayer played third base. Alex Cora clarified that Mayer's roster spot isn't guaranteed, so Gonzalez still could've been an option after the Durbin trade.
Romy Gonzalez will not be ready by Opening Day, but the Red Sox have backup options
Now, the Sox will have to find someone else to take up second base. After the last weeks of the offseason, they have no shortage of options.
The Durbin trade with the Milwaukee Brewers also brought infielders Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler to Boston. Seigler has been dealing with a knee injury early in camp but Monasterio has quickly established himself as a frontrunner for Gonzalez's roster spot — he has two hits and a run, including a homer, over three Grapefruit League appearances.
Many fans wondered why Boston signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa days before adding three infielders in the Durbin trade, but the news of Gonzalez's injury quickly made the signing make sense. Kiner-Falefa is a true utility player with experience all over the diamond, including behind the plate, and he'd be a solid all-around substitute for Gonzalez.
Mayer could also make a push for the opening at second base. The former top prospect has been slow-played this spring as he recovers from the wrist surgery that ended his 2025 season, but he's expected to make his spring training debut on February 27. The Red Sox could use his defense to reach their target of improvement in the infield, but he won't make the roster without a spike in his offense.
While none of Boston's replacements for Gonzalez have the track record that he's established in the big leagues (unless Mayer breaks out at spring training), they need to fill the vacancy at second base early so Gonzalez can heal as quickly as possible. The Red Sox need his lefty-killing expertise in the lineup, but somebody else will get their chance at second base first.