Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Announces Marcelo Mayer Roster Decision
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced on Saturday that Marcelo Mayer would be the team's Opening Day starting second baseman.
Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Announces Marcelo Mayer Roster Decision originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Marcelo Mayer has officially been named as the Boston Red Sox 's starting second baseman to begin the 2026 MLB season.
Red Sox Alex Cora announced the news on Saturday, five days before Boston opens the regular season on the road against the Cincinnati Reds. "Alex Cora says Marcelo Mayer is his second baseman, although they will protect him against lefties," Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe posted on Bluesky. "Cora says Mayer will be the Opening Day second baseman," Alex Speier of The Boston Globe added on Bluesky.
Mayer will join offseason trade acquisition Willson Contreras on the right side of the Red Sox's starting infield , with fellow newcomer Caleb Durbin manning third base and returner Trevor Story playing shortstop. Saturday's update was long expected , but Cora explained why the announcement was delayed. "Cora on why the Sox didn’t announce Mayer as the 2B earlier: 'We wanted to push him,'" Speier posted on Bluesky.
Mayer finished his 2025 rookie season with four home runs, 10 RBIs and a . 228/. 272/.