Red Sox Opening Day roster set: Garrett Crochet leads rebuilt rotation, all eyes on Roman Anthony

The Red Sox have set their 2026 Opening Day roster and will open the season Thursday afternoon on the road in Cincinnati against the Reds.

Boston will send Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Connelly Early to the mound in the opening series before turning to Brayan Bello and Ranger Suárez in Houston.

Fans know who’s taking the ball — but what does the rest of the roster look like heading into the new season?

Pitchers (13): Brayan Bello, Aroldis Chapman, Danny Coulombe, Garrett Crochet, Connelly Early, Sonny Gray, Jovani Morán, Johan Oviedo, Justin Slaten, Ranger Suarez, Ryan Watson, Greg Weissert, Garrett Whitlock

The only real surprise on the pitching side was Early earning Sunday’s start over Oviedo. Early impressed all spring, posting a 1.59 ERA and 0.94 WHIP over 17 innings to secure his spot on the roster.

Oviedo, acquired in the Jhostynxon García trade with the Pirates, never fully seized the opportunity to claim the No. 5 role. That doesn’t mean he won’t start this season, though Alex Cora is expected to use the right-hander as a bulk-innings option behind Bello and Suárez as they continue to build back up following the World Baseball Classic.

Crochet will make his second consecutive Opening Day start for Boston and remains the engine of the Red Sox rotation. The 26-year-old is coming off a dominant 2025 season in which he finished runner-up to Tarik Skubal for the American League Cy Young Award.

The Sox' ace went 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, led the league with 255 strikeouts, and logged a career-high 205 1/3 innings across 32 starts.

One key storyline this season will be the development of his changeup, a pitch he used just four percent of the time last year. If it becomes a legitimate weapon, it could push his strikeout total toward 300.

Suárez arrives in Boston after spending his entire career with the Phillies. The Red Sox signed him to a five-year, $130 million deal in January, and he’s expected to help anchor one of the game’s top rotations, at least on paper, as they enter the season.

The left-handed tandem of Crochet and Suárez gives Boston an impressive one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Suárez may not overpower hitters like Crochet, but he excels at limiting hard contact and keeping walks in check, two traits Craig Breslow values when evaluating pitchers.

Gray, acquired from St. Louis in November, slots in as a veteran presence in the middle of the rotation. The 36-year-old is coming off a season in which he made 32 starts and recorded 201 strikeouts. While he’s on the back end of his career, Gray remains effective and could be a key piece as the Red Sox push for October baseball for the second straight year.

Bello slots into the back end of the rotation, which could benefit the right-hander. Like Suárez, he relies on inducing ground balls, and Boston’s revamped infield should help both pitchers. Bello has worked on adding a curveball and refining his changeup grip this spring, giving him a more complete arsenal. If he builds off his strong second half in 2025, where he posted a 2.42 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 22 walks over 14 starts, he could quietly put together a solid season behind Crochet and Suárez.

Chapman is coming off a career year in 2025, earning All-Star honors and posting a 3.5 WAR. His 0.701 WHIP was the lowest of his career, and his 5.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio was a personal best. Among pitchers with at least 50 innings, Chapman led baseball with a 1.32 ERA and held opponents to a .387 OPS. He also converted 34 of 36 save opportunities at age 37. Boston rewarded him with an extension, and he’ll anchor the bullpen alongside Whitlock.

Beyond that, the bullpen remains somewhat of a wild card.

The Red Sox added veterans Coulombe and Tommy Kahnle late in camp, with Coulombe making the roster. Kahnle will open the season in Worcester but is expected to factor into the bullpen once he builds up. Zack Kelly was optioned, allowing Boston to carry both Early and Oviedo as they continue to ramp up after the World Baseball Classic.

Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval will begin the season on the 15-day injured list but could enter the mix in April if needed.

Catchers (2): Carlos Narváez, Connor Wong

Narváez sits atop the Red Sox’ catching depth chart after an impressive rookie season. The 26-year-old emerged as one of the team’s biggest surprises, hitting .241 with 15 home runs and 50 RBIs in 118 games.

Wong had to fight for his roster spot this spring, competing with veteran Matt Thaiss (keep an eye on him). Wong entered last season as the starter but lost his job to Narváez due to injury and struggles at the plate, finishing with a .190 average, seven RBIs, and a .500 OPS.

While Wong ultimately secured a roster spot, he’ll need to produce, especially with capable veterans waiting in the wings at Worcester.

Infielders (6): Willson Contreras, Caleb Durbin, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Marcelo Mayer, Andruw Monasterio, Trevor Story

Mayer earned his way onto the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster after being pushed throughout camp by Cora. He’s expected to serve as Boston’s primary second baseman, likely platooning with Monasterio and Kiner-Falefa against left-handed pitching.

Romy Gonzalez was originally slated for that role but will miss at least the first two months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

Mayer struggled against lefties last season, going 4-for-26 with 10 strikeouts. Overall, he appeared in 44 games before a wrist sprain ended his rookie campaign in July. The 23-year-old is an above-average defender but is still developing offensively after hitting .228 with four home runs, 10 RBIs, a .674 OPS, and a 30.1% strikeout rate in 136 plate appearances.

Durbin steps in as Alex Bregman’s replacement at third base after an impressive spring, hitting .356/.453/.511 with nine RBIs, 15 hits, and three stolen bases. The Red Sox expect him to take advantage of Fenway Park, particularly the Green Monster.

Veterans Contreras and Story anchor the infield and lineup. Contreras transitioned smoothly from