The Boston Red Sox have been hit hard by the injury bug in spring training as multiple players are in danger of missing Opening Day next week.
Starting pitchers Brayan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee), and Lucas Gioltio (hamstring) are all on the injured list. As for the position players, the Red Sox are relatively healthy, outside of Masataka Yoshida, who is continuing to rehab from a right labrum tear.
However, the Red Sox might not have their super utility man for Opening Day, which is not the news Cora wants to hear almost a week out before the start of the regular season.
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Romy Gonzalez is getting an MRI on Tuesday after feeling right oblique tightness on Monday. But the level of concern is low.
Greetings from Tampa.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) March 18, 2025
Romy Gonzalez is having an MRI today after feeling right oblique tightness yesterday. Level of concern is low.
Cora: "We’ll know more tomorrow. He feels like there’s nothing there. It’s a matter of him not wanting to take a chance."
Cotillo adds one of the Red Sox coaches (Worcester manager Chad Tracy) who was managing Monday’s game noticed the 28-year-old utilityman was stretching frequently. Gonzalez handled first base duties for Boston. He had three plate appearances in six innings of work.
Cora hopes nothing is wrong with Gonzalez as he has a chance to make the Opening Day roster.
"We’ll know more tomorrow. He feels like there’s nothing there. It’s a matter of him not wanting to take a chance," the Red Sox manager said (h/t Chris Cotillo).
Last season with the Red Sox, Gonzalez played across the diamond. He saw some time at first base (20 games), second base (31 games), third base (14 games), shortstop (23 games), designated hitter (two games), and briefly at all three outfield spots (nine games).
Meanwhile, at the plate, the 28-year-old slashed .266/.306/.417 with six home runs and 29 RBI. While Gonzalez won’t be overly productive at the plate, having someone who can play all over the field is a great luxury to have throughout a 162-game MLB season.