As spring training games wind down and another baseball season comes into view, more MLB regulars appear together in Grapefruit and Cactus League games.
The Boston Red Sox may be playing their Opening Day lineup (or something very close to it) in one of their split-squad games on March 17. Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, Trevor Story, Triston Casas, Connor Wong and Kristian Campbell will face off against the Orioles' spring training squad at JetBlue Park.
Duran, Rafaela and Abreu were Boston's everyday outfield last season when Rafaela didn't need to fill in at shortstop. Duran was the Sox's best player last year (8.7 bWAR) and he thrived out of the leadoff spot, so he's been a lock for the Opening Day squad. Rafaela improved his swing this spring, and coupled with his outstanding outfield defense, he could be a critical piece of the Sox's lineup this year.
Abreu has finally been cleared for action after a gastrointestinal illness kept him sidelined for weeks since the beginning of camp. Despite some of the delays in his spring, the Red Sox expect him to be ready for Opening Day. Masataka Yoshida is also expected to begin the season on the IL because he's still not throwing at 100 percent after offseason labrum surgery.
Red Sox's March 17th Grapefruit League lineup looks like it could be their Opening Day squad
Got ourselves some split squad action! pic.twitter.com/LfFbsjyijC
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 17, 2025
Story and Casas are slotted in their usual spots in the infield, but there are some notable differences from last season's Opening Day lineup. Top prospect Campbell will play second base against the Orioles and Bregman will take up third, Devers' usual position. Devers' shoulder injuries have prevented him from taking in-game reps at the hot corner and thus kept Bregman from playing at second base this spring — most reports have concluded that Devers will open the season as the designated hitter, something he seemed so reluctant to do just weeks ago.
On March 16, Ian Browne of MLB.com posted a quote from Alex Cora about Boston's top prospects' chances of making the Opening Day roster. The manager stated that Campbell, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer will begin the season where they'll have an everyday role in the lineup. Since Campbell is slotted in at second base alongside the likely big league squad, there seems to be a good chance he'll land on the Opening Day roster.
Garrett Crochet has already been named the Sox's Opening Day starter, but he pitched over the weekend, so their No. 2, Tanner Houck, will get the start against Baltimore.
Red Sox Nation will get an early look at the Red Sox's likely Opening Day lineup, and it could be the most well-rounded Sox team in quite a few years. The game will be televised on NESN and broadcast on the airwaves of WEEI so fans can see how Boston stacks up against a division rival before the regular season even begins.