The Red Sox made a number of offseason additions after missing the playoffs again in 2024, and along with a bolstered roster in every key area, Boston should also have a lot more depth heading into 2025.
And, as spring training games ramp up, it appears the Red Sox’ depth is going to be tested earlier in the season than anticipated — particularly in the bullpen.
That’s thanks to a number of injuries to some key players; it’s possible Boston gets much healthier prior to Opening Day, but at least one Red Sox player’s status for game No. 1 of the season is in doubt.
Kutter Crawford is still battling back from the knee injury he suffered last season, and isn’t on track to be available right away for Boston this season.
“With Kutter, that’s the one it looks like is going to be long,” Alex Cora said Saturday. “Opening Day, right now, is an ‘if.’ Let’s see what happens.”
Crawford could figure into the Red Sox’ starting rotation or bullpen depending on how the landscape shapes out through the spring. Either way, he’ll play an important role in the team’s pitching approach, and his murky status near the end of February isn’t ideal.
Here are three other names dealing with ailments, and the latest updates on their return timelines:
Wilyer Abreu
Wilyer Abreu’s absence from spring training is due to a gastrointestinal illness, according to a team spokesperson (per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo). The young outfielder has yet to start any team activities.
The good news for Boston is that since Abreu is battling illness, not injury, it’s more likely he’ll recover in time to get a proper training camp in and be ready for Opening Day. The Red Sox have plenty of outfield depth in the meantime, and top Boston prospect Roman Anthony will likely see plenty of spring training action while Abreu recovers.
Abreu was a breakout player for the Red Sox in 2024 and was a finalist for AL Rookie of the Year. He slashed .253 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs.
Brayan Bello
Brayan Bello’s timeline is somewhat murky at the moment, but Cora wouldn’t rule out his availability for the first week of the season.
That being said, Cora also doesn’t anticipate Bello being ready to throw any innings in spring training for at least another week.
“I don’t think in a week (he’ll be ready for games). He’s not even throwing bullpens,” Cora said. “We’ll see how it goes next week.”
Bello had an inconsistent year in 2024 but showed flashes of top-end starting pitching throughout the course of the season. He is capable of throwing a ton of innings, pitching 162.1 last season. Bello may still be relied on as an innings eater in 2025, although Boston’s vastly improved rotation will likely ease his workload some.
Zach Penrod
Another potential key cog in the Red Sox’ bullpen, Zach Penrod got some slightly good news this week in regards to his elbow injury.
Penrod will reportedly not need surgery on his elbow, as an MRI revealed no structural damage.
Avoiding Tommy John surgery gives Penrod a quicker potential recovery timeline and means 2025 may not be a completely lost season. However, Penrod is still expected to be out long-term, with Cora noting that the pitcher is “gonna be out for a while.”
Penrod is a leverage arm and if he cracks the 40-man roster when he’s healthy, he’ll likely slot in behind other arms like Brennan Bernardino and Aroldis Chapman.
