Fenway Times - Sunday, February 23, 2025: Red Sox Spring Training Highlights and Team Updates
The Boston Red Sox's 2025 spring training season has kicked off with a mix of promising performances, notable debuts, and ongoing injury concerns. Despite a last-minute loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team showcased its new stars and depth, signaling an optimistic outlook for the upcoming season. The debut of key players like Alex Bregman and Garrett Crochet drew particular attention, with Bregman hitting his first home run in Red Sox spring training and Crochet impressing with strikeouts in his first outing. These performances underscore the team's focus on bolstering its lineup and pitching staff ahead of the regular season.
Spring training has also seen strategic adjustments, including the Red Sox moving the start time of Monday’s game against the New York Yankees to 4:05 p.m., allowing fans to catch the action live on MLB.TV at 4 p.m. ET. The team has been active in strengthening its bullpen, signing left-handed reliever Wilyer Abreu to a Minor League deal, and debuting other prospects in key games. Highlights from recent contests include a prospect-fueled victory over the Rays, powered by three home runs, and the start of a competitive second-base battle as the team evaluates its options for the season.
In addition to on-field performances, the Red Sox organization has been addressing injury updates and roster decisions. Notable players like Connor Wong and Brayan Bello remain sidelined, with concerns about Kutter Crawford’s availability for Opening Day. Wilyer Abreu has yet to practice, adding to the team's injury management challenges. Meanwhile, veteran players such as Xavier Isaac expressed a desire to make consistent contact at the plate, emphasizing the team’s focus on disciplined hitting. Craig Breslow, the team's new pitching coach, downplayed Rafael Devers’s recent comments about remaining at third base, indicating ongoing discussions about positional roles.
Off the field, the team celebrated Bregman’s pride in his Jewish heritage and his positive impact as a new Red Sox player. The organization also considered potential offseason moves, including whether signing slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would align with their strategic goals. As spring training progresses, the Red Sox remain focused on developing their prospects, evaluating roster options, and building momentum for a competitive 2025 season.