Dalbec is getting his first start of the season at third base Thursday, hitting fifth against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

With J.D. Martinez (groin) out of the lineup, Rafael Devers will get a start at DH, opening up the hot corner for Dalbec. While Devers is healthy, Dalbec's starts at third base will likely be rare, but it's worth noting that the Red Sox are still willing to deploy him at the hot corner, at least on occasion.

Dalbec is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Travis Shaw will get a look at first base in the series finale, breaking a streak of five consecutive starts for Dalbec. During that five-game stretch, Dalbec went 3-for-20 at the dish, dropping his season average to .167.

Dalbec is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec started at first base in each of Boston's first three games, going 2-for-10 with a solo home run and two walks. Travis Shaw will fill in for Dalbec in the series opener in Detroit.

Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, HBP and a walk in a 4-3 win over the Yankees on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec took reliever Clarke Schmidt deep to right in the sixth inning to give Boston a 4-3 lead that would eventually be the final while also being hit by a pitch in the first and walking in the eighth. The 26-year-old has yet to deliver on his significant potential and should have every opportunity to do so this season in a fearsome Boston lineup.

Dalbec went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in Friday's spring contest against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

That's two homers in two games for Dalbec, who served as the first baseman after being the designated hitter Thursday. Thus far in four spring at-bats, he has two home runs and struck out twice. The Red Sox added Travis Shaw on a minor-league deal Friday, which is insurance against Dalbec repeating the hitting woes experienced in 2021. However, he looks comfortable at the plate through the first two games, although he mashed last spring training then hit batted .240 during the regular season.

Dalbec hit a two-run home run in his first at-bat of spring training Thursday. He went 1-for-2, striking out in another plate appearance, with while batting second in the lineup.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec and Jarren Duran were the most noticeable 40-man roster names in the Grapefruit League opener, which featured many minor-leaguers and non-roster invitees. He served as the designated hitter Thursday and seeks to lock down first base full time following a mostly down season with a few good moments in 2021. He made note of the work he put in this winter when talking with Ian Browne of MLB.com following the game. "I'm more happy with how my timing was today than the result, because I worked on that all offseason, on my timing and vision," Dalbec said. "It's nice to see it come to fruition, first at-bat." The MLB sophomore will be looking over his shoulder at prospect Triston Casas, who is expected to arrive in Boston at some point this season. That's why the Red Sox will expose Dalbec to third base and outfield this spring. Third base was his spot coming up through the minors, but Rafael Devers is locked in there. DH is not possible if J.D. Martinez is healthy. Long-term, Casas and Dalbec can get ample at-bats, as Martinez is in the final year of a contract, meaning either player could be the primary DH beginning 2023.

Dalbec will get work in the outfield as well as second base in addition to both infield corners this spring, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec should open the year as the Red Sox's primary first baseman, but highly-touted prospect Triston Casas is set to challenge him for the position at some point this season, as he's already reached Triple-A for a brief nine-game stint at the end of last year. With J.D. Martinez blocking off the designated hitter spot, Dalbec may need to show some versatility to remain in the lineup if he can't hold off Casas. Spending some time in the outfield corners would be a fairly standard move, but a move to second base would be much more unusual.

Dalbec isn't starting Game 3 of the ALCS against the Astros on Monday, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec started Game 1 of the ALDS against Tampa Bay, but Kyle Schwarber has taken over as the favorite for playing time at first base. Schwarber will lead off while serving as the first baseman, and Christian Arroyo will start at the keystone.

Dalbec isn't starting Game 2 of the ALCS against the Astros on Saturday, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec will be out of the lineup for a fifth consecutive game after he drew the start in Game 1 of the ALDS against Tampa Bay. Kyle Schwarber will remain at first base while Alex Verdugo, Enrique Hernandez and Hunter Renfroe start in the outfield from left to right.

Dalbec is on the bench for Game 1 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalbec started Game 1 of the ALDS versus the Rays but was on the bench for the other three games of the series, and he'll remain on the bench for the series opener in Houston. The 26-year-old is 0-for-10 with four strikeouts between in the AL Wild Card Game and the ALDS.