What did we actually learn Wednesday at Hammond Stadium?
Quite a bit, even if it’s still February baseball.
Let’s start with the obvious: the third inning.
Wilyer Abreu’s RBI single and Brendan Rodgers’s two-run knock keyed a four-run burst that supplied most of the offense.
Advertisement
Jarren Duran continued his active spring with two hits, Andruw Monasterio reached twice, and Boston did enough situationally to feel good about the approach.
It wasn’t explosive, but it was professional.
On the mound, Garrett Whitlock’s 13-pitch perfect inning was the cleanest snapshot of the day. Efficient, sharp, no drama.
Justin Slaten followed with a scoreless frame, aided by Carlos Narvaez cutting down Brooks Lee on a steal attempt – the kind of crisp defensive sequence that plays in any month.
Now to the bigger conversation: the No. 5 starter battle.
Manager Alex Cora’s message remains simple:
Advertisement
“Patience.”
Johan Oviedo’s Grapefruit League debut (1.2 scoreless innings, but 3 walks and a hit batter) wasn’t pretty, even if the line says zero runs. Thirty-three pitches, only 15 strikes, and plenty of scattered command.
Cora called it “erratic” when talking to the media postgame, but emphasized the stuff was there. Translation? This won’t be decided in late February.
Context matters.
Feb 17, 2026; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Johan Oviedo (29) poses for a photo during media day at JetBlue Park. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford are both behind schedule after injury-plagued 2025 seasons. Sandoval isn’t expected in games until next week, and Crawford hasn’t faced hitters yet.
The rookie lefties are in the mix too – Payton Tolle has already shown flashes this spring, and Connelly Early already logged two scoreless frames earlier this week.
Advertisement
There are bodies. There are options. There’s time.
Elsewhere in camp, the vibes were strong-to-quite-strong.
Speaking of arms, we have an update on Jake Bennett.
His first fastball to Twins first baseman Eric Wagaman clocked in at 97.6 mph – the hardest of his life. He averaged 95.3 before fading slightly in his second inning. For a lefty who said 94-95 mph would be a win this season, that’s an encouraging baseline. The velocity jump might be one of the quieter storylines to monitor.
A few quick notes:
– Rodgers exited after diving for a liner and experiencing right shoulder pain – scary, given his history of labrum surgeries, though initial tests showed strength and stability
Advertisement
– Abreu clarified that his viral broken-bat check swing wasn’t a feat of Hulk-like force – the bat was already compromised from the prior at-bat
It’s still early, but the outlines of competition – and possibility – are starting to show.
Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that’s free too!
Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He’s a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.