The Red Sox are off to a slow start offensively, struggling from the top of the lineup down to the No. 9 spot.
The lone exception has been Wilyer Abreu, who is 8-for-16 (.500) through four games with two home runs, three doubles, five RBIs, two runs, and just two strikeouts.
One newcomer who has looked overmatched early is Caleb Durbin, whom Boston acquired after losing Alex Bregman to the Cubs in free agency.
The Red Sox completed a six-player deal with the Brewers in early February, sending left-handers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, along with infielder David Hamilton, to Milwaukee in exchange for infielders Andruw Monasterio, Anthony Seigler, Durbin, and a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick.
Coincidentally, Harrison made his Brewers debut Monday night and was sharp over five innings, allowing just one run on four hits while walking one and striking out eight. He threw 64 of his 87 pitches for strikes.
His eight strikeouts were his most in a game since July 26, 2024, when he was with the Giants.
Durbin, on the other hand, has been an automatic out, hitting in the No. 5 or No. 6 spot. He went 0-for-2 on Monday, including grounding into a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth inning.
Through four games, he’s 0-for-14 with one walk and three strikeouts.
“Right now, I think it’s just trying to get the ball in the air a little bit more,” Durbin said. “It’s just trying to fine-tune, make those adjustments to give yourself the most chances. That’s for me, what it kind of comes down to right now — is just trying to