These Red Sox are in danger of getting squeezed off 2024 Opening Day roster.
The Boston Red Sox’s season starts in less than a week. The 26-man roster is far from definitive; the starting rotation was not established until Friday afternoon.
But before Thursday, the Red Sox must reduce their Opening Day roster to 26 men. With all of the Red Sox now injured, the roster is sure to alter frequently throughout the season.
The Opening Day roster will include depth alternatives in the infield while Vaughn Grissom recovers from a groin injury. Rob Refsnyder is also out with a fractured toe, and he’ll most certainly make the major league roster when he returns. Changes are looming all around.
Fans and reporters have been pleasantly impressed by the Red Sox’s spring performance. Their pitching is stronger than expected, and their offense has suddenly gone off at a rapid pace. Unexpected victories for players across the roster will make final cut selections extremely difficult, but only 26 active players may fly to Seattle to begin the season.
The Red Sox’s pitching rotation is woefully short on lefties, and a potentially season-ending injury to young lefty reliever Chris Murphy isn’t helping. Brennan Bernardino is Boston’s lone guaranteed lefty, but the Sox welcomed two others to camp to give them an opportunity to showcase their abilities.
Boston’s Lucas Luetge and Joely Rodríguez have been impressive pitchers in the Grapefruit League. Both have the option to opt out of their contracts with the Red Sox if they do not make the Opening Day roster, so the team must make the correct decision. Luetge has tossed more innings and achieved higher stats than Rodríguez. Rodriguez opted out of his contract on Friday, and the time is ticking. However, he may have made the Red Sox’s decision easier.
Luetge has a 2.25 ERA, 10 strikeouts, and a 0.88 WHIP through eight innings. Rodríguez has a 2.57 ERA, nine strikeouts, and a 1.71 WHIP across seven innings. While the number of innings for each pitcher is limited, Luetge has the advantage.
