The Boston Red Sox will open the regular season on Thursday afternoon at St. Petersburg against the Tampa Bay Rays.
It now seems pretty clear what the Red Sox roster will be to start the season. When Deven Marrero was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks it opened up a spot for Brock Holt to make the roster. That also opened up a spot on the 50 man roster. Lefty reliever Bobby Poyner had a great spring training and took that spot and ended up making the 25 man opening day roster.
In a surprise move, the Red Sox optioned Brandon Workman to Pawtucket. Workman was one of the most consistent set up pitchers in the bullpen for the Red Sox during the 2017 season. Marcus Walden made the opening day roster. Walden will join closer Craig Kimbrel, Carson Smith, Poyner, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes, and Heath Hembree in the Red Sox bullpen. Poyner will be the only lefty reliever.
Hector Velazquez and Brian Johnson will join Chris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello in the starting rotation. Velazquez and Johnson will each hold a spot until Eduardo Rodriguez and/or Drew Pomeranz return from the disabled list.
Christian Vazquez will be the number one catcher. Sandy Leon and Blake Swihart will back up Vazquez. Leon will be the main back up with Swihart also getting time at other positions.
Hanley Ramirez (1B), Eduardo Nunez (2B), Rafael Devers (3B), and Xander Bogaerts (SS) will be the starting infield. Nunez will take over a reserve role when Dustin Pedroia returns from the disabled list. Mitch Moreland will get some time at first base, while Holt and Swihart will fill in around the infield and outfield.
Andrew Benintendi (LF), Jackie Bradley JR (CF), and Mookie Betts (RF) will get the majority of the time in the outfield. JD Martinez will get most of the time at DH. Martinez will also get some time in left field, while Benintendi will most likely get plenty of time in center field.
