Boston – More than four hours before the first release on Fenway Park, there were Kristian Campbell Working with the Boston coaches to add another position to their repertoire already.
Campbell participated in exercises in the first base both on the diamond and a simulated base on the right field line Friday afternoon, and it was not simply a coincidence. The Red Sox intends to see if their versatile novice can become a potential option to take office in the position after the knee injury of the Triston Casas season.
“Looking for options,” said manager Alex Cora. “Obviously, we are achieving Romy (Gonzalez) probably by the end of the week or early next week. But just introduce him to the first base and see how he looks.
“The process started,” Cora added. “It may take 10 days, 15 days, a month, two months, but we started the process. We introduce ourselves to the first base.”
The Red Sox have considered many different alternatives in the two weeks, as Casas fell into a collision while running in the first base. They have started Romy Gonzalez (three games), Abraham Toro (four) and Nick Sogard (five, including Friday) to the position of the interior. But it has become clear that they need a more permanent option to emerge.
In recent days, the club has remained consistent with its message to the agents who represent the first available bases that its plan is to keep it internal. Although Cora stated on Friday that the introduction of Campbell to the “should not see” with towards, It is difficult not to see the development and think that the club has great hopes that turned around -which stated the lack of willingness to move to the first base -will appear as a realistic option. For now, Sogard and Toro are the everyday options with Gonzalez (Belot Contusion) again. But Campbell seems the best long -term option.
According to Campbell, the club had not had the opportunity to play the first base with it until Friday, when Cora mentioned for the first time. The efforts began immediately, although it is still unclear when the Novio could see the action in a game.
“I and we talked about it,” Campbell said. “I have to learn the position, obviously. It will have some time. But it is something I am willing to do to help the team.
“I have never played there before. I’m not sure what plans are. It’s something I definitely have to get used to.”
Campbell, who has registered in three positions (second base, central field and left field) since his debut on the opening day, never played first during his brief league career to the minor. By 2023 and 2024, he appeared in the other three positions and the three field spots. A player known for his versatility thought he was a matter of time before leaving at the beginning.
“I felt quite comfortable,” Campbell said. “They do a very good job to present -things all the time. It’s just another position. I think it’s my last position. I had to learn -I all come to my cube list, surely.
It certainly helps to be on the same side as the second base, “he added.” It is not entirely different. It’s a little uncomfortable and it seems a little different, but the more I am working there, the better I will get. “
The brief training on Friday included work exercises and using a practice glove owned by coach Infield/First Base José Flores, who also worked with Campbell on Triple-A Worcester last year. Campbell said his first base glove is on his way. Cora described the exercises as the first step of what could be a long process.
“Obviously, we are throwing it, but we believe that he can digest it,” Cora said. “This is not like” Oh, KC touches the first base tomorrow. “
“It’s just an athlete. He’s played all over the place. He’s learning to play the second base at this level.”
A change of potential position for Campbell, which has started 33 of the first 45 Boston games in the second, opens questions about the short term future of the rest of the interior. A vacancy at the second base would swing the door open to make the Red Sox call the first perspective Marcelo Mayer and play it in the short, with Trevor Story who moves to the second base, or Mayer Play Second (where he begins on Friday in Worcester). The Red Sox could get the versatile Ceddanne Rafaela some work from Infield to try to erase a path to Roman Anthony.
For now, however, the story is another tour of Campbell, who adopted a first team approach when asked what position is his favorite to play.
“Everything the team is better,” he said. “This is the position I play. I am used to the second base, because it is what I played in college. But anything that makes the team better at that time.”