New Headline: Opening Day in Boston Struggles Without Top Notch Streakers
Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer are both out of the Red Sox' lineup Sunday. Why?
FORT MYERS, Fla. — As the Red Sox take on the Twins on Sunday at JetBlue Park, they’ll do so without their two projected starting middle infielders. Shortstop Trevor Story is out of the lineup for the third straight Grapefruit League game and s econd baseman Marcelo Mayer was scratched after being in the original lineup.
According to a club source, the Red Sox are simply “monitoring Story’s workload” in an effort to keep him fresh. Mayer’s removal from the lineup was due to “left knee soreness,” according to the Red Sox, but it’s unclear if the issue could cause him to miss any time. Manager Alex Cora said Mayer’s soreness is nothing concerning and the second baseman will play Tuesday.
“Just a little bit sore so just taking care of him,” Cora said after Boston’s 7-2 win over the Twins in Grapefruit League action. The 33-year-old Story has played 10 exhibition games so far this spring and is hitting . 400 (12-for-30) with two triples, four doubles and two RBIs.
After Story rebounded from a series of injury-plagued seasons to play in 160 games (including the postseason) a year ago, the Red Sox are planning to give him a little more rest in 2026, starting in spring training. Expect Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who is starting at shortstop Sunday, to see the majority of reps at shortstop behind Story. “Just giving him a blow,” Cora said.