Infielder Romy Gonzalez is among a number of Boston Red Sox players who could begin the 2026 season on the injured list.
With Opening Day just over one month away, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic wrote on Sunday that infielder Andruw Monasterio is a "player to watch" with Gonzalez's status for the start of the season uncertain.
"If Romy Gonzalez isn’t ready for Opening Day, the Red Sox will have some decisions to make. Gonzalez had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder a month ago and has still not begun baseball activities with the team. Even if he does ramp up quickly, the strength of his shoulder will be something to monitor in the early part of the season," the Red Sox insider said. "If he’s not ready to go, one under-the-radar option on the 40-man roster is Andruw Monasterio."
Monasterio was a part of the early-February deal that also sent infielder Caleb Durbin and third baseman Anthony Seigler from the Milwaukee Brewers to Boston.
According to McCaffrey, the 28-year-old Venezuelan has been "all over the diamond in infield drills through the first two weeks, playing first, second, third and shortstop."
Manager Alex Cora recently praised Monasterio's athleticism and versatility.
"Cora has mentioned more than once how impressed he’s been with Monasterio, who posted an .837 OPS against lefties last season in 50 plate appearances. He might not replace the numbers Gonzalez posted against southpaws, but he’s a player to watch," McCaffrey wrote.
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