The Boston Red Sox head into the 2023 season with relatively low expectations. Which three players will not be part of the Red Sox Opening Day roster?
Let’s face it, Red Sox Nation, the outlook is not very good heading into 2023. Boston lost one of their best players to free agency and President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom hasn’t instilled a lot of confidence with the patchwork job he’s done putting the roster together.
Yes, the Red Sox inked Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida to a five-year contract, but the transition from the NPB to Major League Baseball is never a sure thing. The Red Sox did sign Justin Turner to replace the departed J.D. Martinez and there’s hope that Chris Sale can return to form after an injury-plagued 2022 campaign.
But enough about the players that fans can expect to see on the diamond when Opening Day rolls around. Which three players will fail to be part of the Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster?
Trevor Story will not be on the Red Sox Opening Day roster
In case you missed it, Trevor Story will miss the start of the 2023 season. Honestly, the former Colorado Rockies shortstop may miss all of the upcoming season after undergoing elbow surgery during the offseason.
Having lost shortstop Xander Bogaerts to the high-spending San Diego Padres, this situation couldn’t be much worst for the Boston Red Sox. Story, who was brought in to play second base last season, was the backup plan at shortstop once Bogaerts split for southern California.
But now, without Bogaerts and Story in the lineup, the Sox will turn to veteran Kike Hernandez to man shortstop. Hernandez has experience playing the position, but has been much more valuable to Boston as the team’s centerfielder.
With Hernandez now on the outfield, the Red Sox will have to rely on bounce-back season from former All-Star Adam Duvall. The free agent signee is expected to take over for Hernandez on the outfield grass and will be flanked by Masataka Yoshida and Alex Verdugo.