Mayer's starting position has yet to be determined, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. He played both second base and third base during his rookie season in 2025.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer had been ticketed for a starting role at third base, replacing the departed Alex Bregman, but Monday's acquisition of Caleb Durbin from Milwaukee creates uncertainty. Both Mayer and Durbin have experience at the hot corner and second base in the majors, and manager Alex Cora was hesitant to make any decisions Monday. An early indicator of the infielders' eventual landing spot should come Feb. 15, when Boston's position players report to Fort Myers and where the two are stationed during spring training drills.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted at Fenway Fest in January that he envisions Mayer getting more playing time against left-handers in 2026, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer was allotted 27 of 136 plate appearances at the MLB level against lefties in 2025, managing a miniscule .416 OPS in the small sample size. With the departure of Alex Bregman, it's likely Mayer will take over at third base this season, and Cora wants a more full-time role for the 23-year-old infielder, who is capable of slotting in at three infield positions. Boston's recent signing of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a Gold Glove winner at third base in 2020 while with Texas, could impact the eventual infield positioning, but he appears ticketed for a rotation at second base with several other candidates.

Mayer (wrist) is expected to be read for Opening Day, Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer is recovering from last August's right wrist arthroscopy that ended his season after 44 games. Offseason updates suggested he could have played in the postseason had Boston extended its run, which suggests Mayer will be available for spring training. Depending on roster additions, the 23-year-old infielder could play one of three infield positions: second base, shortstop or third base. Mayer could return to shortstop, the position he played prior to the Red Sox drafting him in 2021, due to a downturn in shortstop Trevor Story's defense (minus-9 OAA) in 2025. In that scenario, Story would move to second base.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Mayer's recovery from right wrist surgery had progressed to the point that he could have been available had the team made a deep postseason run, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

That suggests Mayer -- who underwent a right wrist arthroscopy in August -- should be fully recovered well ahead of spring training. As things currently stand, Mayer could open the 2026 season as the starter at either second or third base, though much will depend on what additions the Red Sox make to their roster.

The Red Sox transferred Mayer (wrist) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer is out for the season after undergoing a right wrist arthroscopy last month, so his move to the 60-day injured list is merely a formality. The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for catcher Ali Sanchez, whom the Red Sox acquired in a trade with the Mets on Sunday.

The Red Sox announced that Mayer underwent a successful right wrist arthroscopy Wednesday, Lauren Campbell of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After initially spraining his wrist in late July, Mayer had hoped that a cortisone shot plus extended rest and recovery time would be enough for him to heal up from the injury and return to action before the end of the season, but surgery was ultimately deemed necessary. Mayer has now sustained season-ending injuries in each of the last three years, as his 2023 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury, and his 2024 season ended prematurely due to lumbar strain. The 22-year-old -- who previously suffered the same wrist injury in 2022 but avoided surgery -- will face a three-month recovery timeline from his procedure, putting him on track to be back to full health ahead of spring training. Mayer will likely need a strong camp to solidify himself as an everyday player for the Red Sox heading into 2026, after he produced a .228/.272/.402 slash line with a 30.1 percent strikeout rate over 136 plate appearances with Boston prior to being shut down with the sprained wrist.

Mayer will require season-ending surgery on his sprained right wrist, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shortly after being placed on the 10-day injured list July 25, Mayer received an anti-inflammatory shot, but the rookie's wrist didn't respond as well as the Red Sox had hoped. The 22-year-old has opted for a permanent fix for the injury and is expected to face a three-month recovery, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. Mayer should be back to full health ahead of spring training, when he'll likely have to compete for a starting role after slashing just .228/.272/.402 with four home runs over his first 44 big-league games.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Mayer (wrist) has begun taking dry swings, but it's unclear if he will return this season, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer's recovery from right wrist soreness has been slow, even after undergoing an anti-inflammatory injection at the start of August. The 22-year-old began playing catch this week and has now begun swinging a bat. While it didn't initially seem like the injury would threaten to sideline Mayer for the rest of 2025, Cora was non-committal when asked about the rookie's return this season.

Mayer (wrist) is scheduled to play catch Monday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer has been on the 10-day injured list since July 24 due to a sprained right wrist. He was recovering from the injury slower than expected, even after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection for his wrist Aug. 2, but he has progressed enough to start baseball activities. How Mayer's wrist responds to increased work will determine his timeline for a return to the majors this season.

Mayer (wrist) has not yet begun baseball activities, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mayer, who was placed on the 15-day injured list July 25 with a sprained right wrist, received an anti-inflammatory injection Aug. 2. The plan was to see how he felt after three days and begin baseball activities if the injection worked, but he is only working out as of Saturday. Surgery is an option, but Mayer is attempting to return this season.