Red Sox Game Preview: Red Sox vs Rays, 2/22/25

How did No. 1 Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony fare in 2024? – Blogging the Red Sox
Roman Anthony makes his Spring Training debut today, Matt Dirksen

    The Red Sox kick off their 2025 Grapefruit League season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Jet Blue Field at 1:05 pm EST today on Nesn. Quinn Priester gets the start for the Red Sox. Priester, acquired at the trade deadline for infielder Nick Yorke, made a single start last year on the final day of the season against the Rays. He threw 5 innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 4. His sinker touched 96 that day, proving to be his best pitch. 

    Here's the starting lineup for the Red Sox
    
    David Hamilton, SS
    Roman Anthony, LF
    Ceddanne Rafeala, CF
    Carlos Narvaez, C
    Marcelo Mayer, DH
    Vaughn Grissom, 2B
    Abraham Toro, 1B
    Trayce Thompson, RF
    Nick Sogard, 3B


   
    Catcher Carlos Narvaex might be a player for you to keep an eye on today, as he will likely battle with Blake Sabol and Seby Zaabala for the backup cather position. The Red Sox acquired him from the Yankees this offseason in exchange for pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz. Narvaez appeared in 6 games for the Yankees last year.

    Veteran Michael Fulmer is scheduled to pitch 2 innings against the Rays today. The 9 year MLB veteran and former Rookie of the Year winner has not appeared in an MLB game since 2023, but will look to battle for a spot in the Red Sox bullpen this year. 
    
    Alex Cora had high praise for the righty, saying, "this guys been on top of this game in the past." Adding that "he was great with the kids last year. Kind of like a mentor."

    Fulmer himself discussed the potential move from the rotation to the bullpen, saying he "thinks it might be best to kind of develop a routine coming out of rehab. If it sticks, it sticks. If it doesn't, then I go back to the bullpen." Talking about the transition, he said, "I did the transition once and it was fairly easy. I've enjoyed both roles."

    Fulmer, 31, operated primarily out of the bullpen form 2021-2023, throwing 190 innings in that span with a 3.55 ERA.

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