Red Sox Notes: Alex Bregman open to contract extension with club, Marcelo Mayer makes big league debut at second base, Tanner Houck struggles in rehab outing for WooSox

The Red Sox are expecting third baseman Alex Bregman off the injured list in the coming weeks. The Sox’ top free agent acquisition this winter is also open to a new contract with the team before he becomes eligible for free agency this fall.

“I always tell the team—and Alex directs me to tell them—we’re always open to any conversation,” said Bregman's agent, Scott Boras, in an interview with the Boston Globe’s Tim Healey. “Any player who plays well somewhere, it’s something that’s important for the team and important for the player. It’s an additive.”

Bregman signed a three-year, $120-million deal with Boston prior to the start of spring training. Each season of his contract with the Red Sox comes with opt-outs. Any reworked deal between the Red Sox and Bregman would likely include a longer-term deal with a new average annual value per season.

With Rafael Devers now in San Francisco, the need to potentially rip up Bregman’s current deal and sign a new extension looks to be a priority for the Red Sox. Boston cleared $254 million off the books when the Giants assumed the remainder of Devers’ deal. Bregman is the Red Sox' best player and hitter on the roster, and they can’t afford to lose another impact bat.

Boston’s inconsistent play over the first three months of the season makes them prime candidates to sell at the trade deadline at the end of July. Despite the Devers trade, the Red Sox have made it clear that they are not planning a drastic sale between now and the trade deadline at the end of July. If chief baseball officer Craig Breslow decides to sell off pieces, Bregman would be an attractive player for contending teams around the league. ESPN puts a Bregman trade at 10 percent, which makes it more likely that the team is focused on a new deal for their starting third baseman.

Over the first couple of months as a member of the Red Sox, Bregman was one of the team’s best hitters, batting .299 with 11 homers, 35 RBI, a .533 slugging percentage, and a .385 on-base percentage.

It’s clear the Red Sox value Bregman’s leadership on and off the field. He’s been a mentor to the club’s younger talent like Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer, and Kristian Campbell. Earlier this spring, Bregman traveled with the young players on the bus to spring training games. After Anthony’s promotion, the team gave their top prospect a locker between Bregman’s and Jarren Duran’s lockers in the clubhouse.

Bregman has been on the injured list with a right quad injury since May but is inching closer to returning to the Red Sox lineup.

“We’re getting closer for him to join us,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Sunday. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen this week or the week after, but it feels like it’s going to be sooner rather than later.”

The Red Sox have been underwhelming this season with a 40-41 record and currently have a 21.7% chance to make the postseason, according to FanGraphs.

MARCELO MAYER MAKES DEBUT AT SECOND BASE

Mayer made his first career start at second base during the Red Sox’ 3-2 loss to the Angels on Tuesday night. The Sox’ rookie has played third base since his promotion to the big leagues after Bregman went on the injured list.

“I’ve played, like, one game there when I was in USA Baseball,” said Mayer before the start against the Angels. “They had, like, 12 shortstops. ‘You’re playing first.’ OK, cool. I remember making a sick pick.”

Mayer batted eighth with Angels’ southpaw Tyler Anderson on the mound; the young infielder ripped a triple down the first base line in the third inning. He would score the first run of the game off a sacrifice fly from Nate Eaton to give Boston a 1-0 advantage.

In the fifth, Mayer hit an 83.7 mph cutter into right field for a single before striking out in the seventh inning. Mayer drove home Ceddanne Rafaela for a go-ahead RBI into center field in the 10th inning to put the Red Sox up 2-1.

Mayer had three hits on the night (3-for-4), a new career high for hits in a game.

While Bregman is out, Mayer should continue to see time at third base, with Cora mixing and matching Abraham Toro at the hot corner.

“I know Alex is going to come back. He plays third base,” Mayer said after the first game of the series. “If they want to move me to second, by all means. It doesn’t really matter to me.”

Cora added, “Right now, he’s playing third base. Obviously, in time, we have to make decisions. But he’s playing well at third. I know he can play second. I know he can play short. If needed, we’ll do it.”

Moving Mayer to second base once Bregman returns from the injured list gives Boston a better offensive player over David Hamilton and the slumping Kristian Campbell, who is now with the WooSox. Mayer has played second base this season while in Triple-A, playing 10 games at the position before his Major League promotion.

TANNER HOUCK STRUGGLES FOR WORCESTER

Red Sox starter Tanner Houck struggled in his rehab start for the WooSox on the road in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old—who has been on the injured list since May 14 with a right flexor pronator strain—recorded just five outs in his second appearance. Houck gave up four earned runs off three hits and two walks while striking out two. He also beaned a batter in his outing.

All of the runs Houck allowed came in the second inning after he pitched a perfect first inning. All three hits that the righty surrendered were singles.

In Houck’s first rehab appearance last week, he allowed one run on two hits with one walk in 1-plus frames against the Buffalo Bisons from Polar Park. Houck came out of his first rehab outing pain-free after acknowledging to reporters he had been dealing with arm issues since spring training.

“Good to be back,” Houck said to reporters in Worcester last week following his outing. “Good to be out there competing. All in all, the wind-up was definitely really good today in terms of how I was feeling. Felt in sync. The stretch was a little stiff.

“(Not feeling any pain or stiffness), which is definitely a step in the right direction compared to before,” Houck said. “I felt like I was able to execute the slider with a good shape and good velocity.”

Houck has been making several adjustments to his pitching arsenal since he performed poorly on the mound prior to going on the injured list. Houck pitched to an 8.04 ERA in nine starts (43 2/3 innings).