Henrique: Red Sox tell Marcelo Mayer he's headed to Triple-A Worcester; all signs pointing to Newcomb in rotation

The Red Sox will have one of their “Big 3” prospects set to debut after making the Opening Day roster. Kristian Campbell was informed he will make the 26-man roster out of camp on Sunday night; meanwhile, fellow infield prospect Marcelo Mayer will need to wait a little longer.

Boston is optioning Mayer to Triple-A Worcester, as first reported by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Despite not making the Opening Day roster, Mayer will be with the team for the two-game exhibition series to play the Sultanes de Monterrey in Mexico.

Mayer had been battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster, competing with Campbell, Vaughn Grissom, and David Hamilton for the starting second base job.

The left-handed hitter who was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2021 MLB draft enjoyed a strong spring, hitting .333 (12-for-36) with two triples, one homer, 11 RBI, eight walks, and posting a .983 OPS. 

“You can tell the moment is not big. He’s very comfortable in the environment,” Cora told reporters about the top prospect back in late February. “He’s a good player. I truly believe — I was talking to (game planning and run prevention coach Jason Varitek) — the higher the level the better he is going to be. Sometimes people don’t talk about him. Kind of like he’s the forgotten one. He’s still a freaking good player."

The additions of Campbell, Hamilton, and Romy Gonzalez as locks for the 26-man roster don’t necessarily mean Mayer wasn’t ready. Campbell gives the Sox another right-handed bat in the lineup instead of Mayer. Even with the addition of Alex Bregman this winter, the club still lacked a right-handed bat in their starting lineup.

It’s inevitable that Mayer will be with the big leagues this season; the smooth-hitting shortstop will get a taste of Triple-A pitching before he gets his chance to join Campbell with the Red Sox in Boston. Mayer was promoted to Worcester with the original “Big 3,” Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel, last August. He didn’t get to play an inning in front of the fans at Polar Park. Mayer was on the injured list with a lumbar injury at the time of the promotion and was eventually shut down for the rest of the season.

Mayer was relishing in the success of a strong rebound season, reinforcing him as one of the game's best prospects. In 77 games with Double-A Portland, he hit .307/.370/.480 with 8 homers, 36 extra-base hits, and 13 steals. The talented infielder’s injury resulted in his year being cut short for the second straight season. Two years ago, he saw his season end due to left shoulder inflammation.

With Trevor Story healthy, Bregman occupying third base, and Campbell the new starting second baseman, there’s not much room for Mayer in the infield. Mayer's minor league career saw him exclusively at shortstop, with only two games at third base.

Boston’s No. 3 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, will move around the WooSox’ infield playing second base, shortstop, and third base. The added layer of versatility will add to Mayer’s resume, helping to create an easier path to the Red Sox.

“I think he has the ability and maturity to be an all-the-way-around infielder,” Red Sox infield instructor and new first base coach Jose Flores said about Mayer at Fenway Fest in Boston back in January. “That being said, no doubt he can play the left side of the field. Obviously, second base will probably be a position that will be a little bit more awkward for him to learn at a faster pace just because it’s his blind side when turning double plays and all that. And it’s a little bit different. But it’s something that I know for a fact that he can pick up really fast. No doubt.”

ALL SIGNS POINTING TO NEWCOMB; PRIESTER TO WORCESTER

The Red Sox optioned right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday afternoon, allowing lefty Sean Newcomb to take the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

The 31-year-old had been competing with Priester for the last few weeks in camp due to Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito starting on the injured list. Newcomb has all but solidified his role, barring an unforeseen swerve, and Cooper Criswell is officially named the fifth starter.

Cora has not publicly committed to who will win the job, but all signs are pointing to Newcomb.

“It doesn’t mean that. It means we’re down to decisions,” Cora said to reporters. “Whenever we announce it, we announce it. He (Newcomb) put himself in a good position to be there. Coop pitched today. We weren’t able to extend him, but we know what he’s able to do. So we’ll get there when we get there.”

Spring stats don't always provide a comprehensive picture of players securing positions on major league rosters; however, Newcomb excelled, presenting a compelling argument that the Red Sox couldn't ignore.

The southpaw pitched to a 0.63 ERA with 13 strikeouts across five appearances (four starts), whereas Priester owned a 4.82 ERA with nine strikeouts over four starts. Criswell pitched in five games, making two starts; he recorded a 4.66 ERA with 10 strikeouts to three walks over 9 2/3 innings.

There’s a chance Criswell still breaks camp with Boston; he could occupy the long-reliever role, or he will be sent to Triple-A Worcester and pitch out of the rotation.

Priester will pitch out of the WooSox rotation and likely be one of the first pitchers promoted if the Red Sox need a spot start or another arm goes down with an injury. In camp, Priester quickly caught the attention of his coaching staff.

“Priester is another guy that caught my eye. Kind of like impressive,” Cora said in early February. “He put in work in the offseason. He’s a lot stronger. We saw what he did the last day. He’s got good stuff. He looks really good.”

In speaking with WooSox pitching coach Dan DeLucia, he noted Priester's pitching intellect by leading team meetings with his coaches and catchers.

“He wants to be part of a winning culture,” said DeLucia. “He wants to be part of a winning team. And he himself wants to be the best version of himself. I'd say he's along the line sometimes as like a perfectionist, but not in a good way. And he's passionate, man. When he feels something, when he has something in his head, he just wants to get it out and talk through it.”

Despite his demotion to the WooSox, Priester can continue to work on his consistency on the mound in hopes of getting called up to the Sox this coming season.

The Red Sox named Richard Fitts the team’s No. 4 starter last week. With Newcomb the in-house favorite to get the No. 5 spot, he’ll occupy it for a short period of time. Bello and Giolito are expected to return to the club sometime in April.

The righty tossed 1 2/3 innings in a minor league game on Saturday, and then he will pitch in Fort Myers on Thursday, and then meet the WooSox in Jacksonville, where he should make at least two starts against the Marlins Triple-A affiliate. If he is fully built back up to strength, he will rejoin the team on their second road trip in Chicago and Tampa.

Giolito (hamstring) is inching closer to his return, tossing two frames in a minor league game on Sunday. He threw two shutout innings and struck out four, allowing just one hit and firing 19 of his 32 pitches for strikes.

Once Bello and Giolito are both healthy, the Red Sox rotation will be at full health with Kutter Crawford behind, dealing with his knee soreness.

MATA ASSIGNED TO MINOR LEAGUE CAMP

MassLive first reported that Bryan Mata will begin the year at Triple-A Worcester after he impressed the coaching staff with his velocity on the mound this spring. The hard-throwing righty was one of five relievers battling for one of the three open spots in the Red Sox bullpen.

Mata was considered a dark horse candidate to win a spot on the roster toward the end of camp. He opened eyes with his velocity on his fastball, hitting 98-99 mph; however, his spring numbers painted a different story, recording an 11.57 ERA in 4 1/3 innings.

“He’s throwing the (expletive) out of the ball,” Cora said. “Throwing 98-99 mph, throwing strikes, good changeup, good slider. He’s throwing strikes. He’s healthy, which is the most important thing. 

Mata’s health has hindered his progression from a former top pitching prospect in the Sox’ system. The righty missed all of 2021 and a part of 2022 due to Tommy John surgery. A lat injury ended his season in 2023, and heading into spring training this year, a hamstring and lat/shoulder soreness put him on the shelf through the first half of this season. This spring he’s been relatively healthy, and with a consistent showing with the WooSox, his velocity will play at the big league level; but, like some pitchers that possess a power arm, he’s extremely volatile on the mound. If he can put it together under Craig Breslow’s new pitching regime, he might be an asset down the road.