A terrifying collision between teammates had Red Sox fans holding their breath, but thankfully, the players escaped serious harm. This incident, involving outfielders Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela, occurred during a Spring Training game against the Braves, leaving fans and teammates alike concerned.
The heart-stopping moment unfolded as both players converged on a fly ball hit by Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Anthony, stretching to his left, made the catch just as his waist collided with Rafaela's midsection. Despite the impact, Anthony managed to stay in the game for five innings, even hitting a home run off Chris Sale. But the center fielder's resilience didn't prevent him from leaving the game after three innings.
Manager Alex Cora attributed the collision to a lack of communication, emphasizing the importance of clear communication to prevent such incidents. He stated, "When [proper communication] doesn't happen, things like that can happen ... If he calls it, it's the center fielder's ball." This incident serves as a stark reminder of the split-second decisions and potential dangers inherent in the game.
While Anthony and Rafaela are cleared to play, first baseman Triston Casas is still on the road to recovery. Casas, who tore his patellar tendon in May, is making strides but won't be ready for Opening Day, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The 26-year-old's dedication to rehab has impressed management, with Cora praising his decision to stay in Fort Myers during the offseason for intensive work with the medical team and coaches.
The Red Sox have acquired Willson Contreras to fill the everyday first base role, but the depth behind him is uncertain. Romy Gonzalez, who played 58 games at first base last season, is expected to miss Opening Day due to a shoulder injury. The team plans to utilize utility player Isiah Kiner-Falefa at first base during spring training. Kiner-Falefa, a former catcher, has played eight positions in the majors and is now one step closer to completing his positional versatility collection. Andruw Monasterio, acquired in the Caleb Durbin trade, has limited experience at first base, starting in that position only once in 20 games.
On the pitching front, Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford threw live batting practice on Friday, marking Crawford's return after missing the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury. Sandoval, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, is also on the comeback trail. Crawford, who transitioned from a hybrid role to a full-time starter in 2024, pitched 183 2/3 innings with a 4.36 ERA. His 3.85 xERA and 4.09 SIERA indicate he might have been slightly unlucky. He was poised to be a part of the Boston rotation last season but was sidelined by patellar tendinopathy in March.
Boston signed Sandoval to a two-year deal last offseason, knowing he'd likely miss most or all of 2025. The left-hander, who has spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Angels, started the 2024 season with a bang, averaging 93.7 mph on his four-seamer. However, he struggled with an ERA over 5.00 in 16 starts before an elbow strain ended his season in June.
But here's where it gets controversial: Was the Red Sox's decision to trade for Contreras a wise move, given the uncertainty surrounding his backup options? And what does this mean for the team's strategy and depth going forward? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
