Alex Cora Removes Carlos Narváez from Red Sox Lineup
In a recent decision, Alex Cora, the manager of the Boston Red Sox, removed catcher Carlos Narváez from the starting lineup. The shift occurred just two and a half hours before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. Instead of Narváez, Connor Wong will take on the catching duties for pitcher Garrett Crochet.
Lineup Changes Announced
Cora explained that Narváez’s absence was not disciplinary, emphasizing the importance of keeping team matters private. He stated, “This is a decision I made, and we’re going to go. Wong is ready.” In addition to Wong’s start behind the plate, Cora adjusted the lineup further by resting left fielder Roman Anthony and second baseman Marcelo Mayer.
Anthony and Mayer Out
- Roman Anthony: Struggling with just one hit in his last 17 at-bats, contributing to 10 strikeouts.
- Marcelo Mayer: Hitless in his last 11 appearances, tallying five strikeouts.
Cora believes this rest is crucial for both players to reset and return to form. “Let’s get back to basics,” he mentioned regarding Anthony’s performance.
Injury Updates
The team also provided updates on other player injuries. Triston Casas is temporarily sidelined due to a strained left intercostal muscle, unrelated to his previous knee surgery. Cora stated that Casas will be shut down from hitting activities until his symptoms improve.
- Previous injuries: Casas had a torn cartilage issue in 2024 and a patellar tendon tear last year.
- Plan: The Red Sox will monitor his progress before making further decisions.
On a positive note, lefthander Patrick Sandoval will begin a rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Portland. Meanwhile, righthander Kutter Crawford is also on track to return to minor league games following knee and wrist issues.
Accountability and Challenges
Following a recent incident where home plate umpire Mark Wegner mismanaged an at-bat count, Cora accepted responsibility for not checking the count during the game. “That’s on us. We have to be better than that,” he acknowledged. The confusion stemmed from a series of errors during a play involving stolen bases.
Minor League Transfer
In another development, the Blue Jays returned minor league pitcher Angel Bastardo to the Red Sox. After missing the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery, the 23-year-old is rejoining the Boston organization.
Cora noted that the team must focus on improving their decision-making during automated ball-strike challenges, emphasizing a need for clarity in these situations.
El-Balad will continue to monitor these developments within the Red Sox organization as the season progresses.
