MLB Notebook: Mayer family happy to leave Boston behind; Red Sox-Yankees brace for Wild Card battle

After a disastrous, pandemic-shortened 2020 season in which the Red Sox finished 24-36 and cycled through one of the worst pitching staffs in franchise history, at least one significant reward awaited them.

The fourth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, which Boston used on Eastlake High School shortstop Marcelo Mayer, a player many believed wouldn’t even be available when the Red Sox went on the clock.

Many projected Mayer to go No. 1 overall to the Pirates. Pittsburgh instead selected catcher Henry Davis, allowing one of the most highly regarded players in the draft to fall into Boston’s lap.

Mayer drew comparisons to then-Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Giants' Brandon Crawford. Almost immediately, Red Sox fans were told they were looking at their future shortstop.

Mayer’s climb through the organization was repeatedly interrupted by injuries. Left shoulder inflammation ended his 2023 season. A lumbar strain ended his 2024 season. His first major league season ended with surgery on his right wrist after he had been recalled when Alex Bregman landed on the injured list.

This year brought another setback when Mayer landed on the injured list with a bone stress reaction in his left ulna/forearm. His time with the organization came to a screeching halt when Boston traded Mayer to the Giants at the deadline for left-handed reliever Erik Miller. It closed the book on a five-year relationship that never came close to fulfilling the expectations attached to Mayer on draft night.

Apparently, nobody was happier about it than Mayer’s father, Enrique.

“When I found out, I jumped 30 feet in the air,” Enrique Mayer said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “I can’t explain how happy we are.”

Mayer struggled badly early this season, batting .173 through his first 18 games. Red Sox fans took notice and criticized the young shortstop after years of being told he was the answer at shortstop following the departure of Xander Bogaerts. 

“In Boston, if you’re going well, you’re a god, and if you’re struggling, they’re going to tear you apart,” Enrique said. “He didn’t come out as hot this year and the fans thought he didn’t care; that’s the most ridiculous thing to say about a major league baseball player, people don’t know the sacrifices and work it takes just to get there. But he got a bad rap, and if you get a little bit of one in Boston, it just snowballs.”

Boston can be unforgiving for young players, especially a highly touted prospect who struggles is going to hear about it. A player who arrives with a $6.6 million signing bonus, the No. 4 overall pick attached to his name, and years of “future franchise shortstop” expectations will face even more scrutiny.

That doesn’t make every criticism fair, but that’s the price of entry to be an athlete in Boston. 

And once your son becomes a professional baseball player, sometimes the best thing a parent can do is stop fighting his battles publicly. But Enrique did just the opposite, airing his grievances like Frank Costanza at Festivus. 

“If you set a record for signing bonus, you’re going to have the spotlight on you anywhere, in Boston, multiply that by 10,” he said. “It was intense. Marcelo started feeling a ridiculous amount of pressure. He’d say, ‘Dad, I’m on the on-deck circle, and they’re ripping me apart, yelling, ‘Go back to Cali!’”

Boston Has Chewed Up Plenty of Athletes in the Past

Edgar Renteria arrived in Boston immediately after being on the wrong end of one of the most famous plays in Red Sox history. His ground ball back to Keith Foulke recorded the final out of the 2004 World Series and ended Boston’s 86-year championship drought.

A few months later, he was replacing Orlando Cabrera at shortstop. The Sox were better suited to bringing Cabrera back. 

Renteria struggled early, and his defensive problems quickly became a nightly storyline. The errors piled up, 30 of them by season’s end, and the Fenway crowd eventually saddled him with the nickname “Edgar Rent-A-Wreck.”

He actually finished with a respectable .276 average, eight home runs and 70 RBI in 153 games, but there was no coming back.

One season and he was done; traded to Atlanta, agreeing to eat a significant portion of the money remaining on his contract.

Carl Crawford’s Boston experience was considerably worse. The Red Sox signed Crawford away from the Rays for seven years and $142 million, one of the biggest contracts in franchise history at the time.

Crawford never appeared comfortable in Boston, but the circumstances went well beyond a player simply failing to perform. Injuries became a significant part of the story, as did questions surrounding the organization’s medical operation. Meanwhile, the 2011 Red Sox became infamous for their historic September collapse, the beer-and-chicken controversy and the organizational finger-pointing that followed.

By August 2012, Boston wanted out badly enough to include him in the blockbuster trade that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto to the Dodgers and allowed the Red Sox to escape massive financial commitments.

Eric Gagné arrived at the 2007 trade deadline with a 2.16 ERA and 16 saves in 17 opportunities for Texas.

Once he put on a Red Sox uniform, he instantly became one of the worst trade acquisitions of Theo Epstein’s tenure. 

Gagné allowed 14 earned runs and nine walks in 183 2/3 regular-season innings. He blew three saves and his struggles continued into October, including two runs allowed in the 11th inning of Game 2 of the ALCS against Cleveland. 

He got a World Series ring with Boston but his time with the Red Sox was not memorable. 

The Fenway pressure cooker certainly isn’t limited to players. Remember Grady Little? Ok, that sentence was more sarcasm than anything. Little managed the Red Sox to 95 wins in 2003, no one remembers and no one cares. 

Fans remember him walking toward the mound in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium and leaving a tiring Pedro Martinez in the game.

The Yankees erased Boston’s lead, the Jorge Posada’s two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning will forever be etched into our memories. Then Aaron Boone homered in the 11th, a dagger in the hearts of every Red Sox fan. Little was gone shortly thereafter; the Sox hired Terry Francona, and the rest is history. 

Then there was Bobby Valentine, one of the worst managerial hires in baseball history. His one season managing the Red Sox resembled a daily soap opera. Valentine had an uncanny ability to turn relatively minor issues into major ones, most famously questioning Kevin Youkilis’ passion during a radio interview.

Dustin Pedroia resented Valentine’s comments and quickly fired back at his manager.

“That’s not the way we go about our stuff here,” Pedroia said at the time.  

That essentially summed up Valentine’s tenure and the Red Sox went 69-93. The Sox fired Valentine and everyone moved with their lives. 

Now Mayer gets a fresh start and the opportunity to do that in San Francisco. He escapes the expectations attached to being the fourth overall pick in Boston will allow him to relax and become the player so many envisioned five years ago.

His father certainly believes the change will help his son. 

“Obviously, it didn’t go the way I wanted,” Enrique Mayer said, “and obviously, outside the lines, it’s a lot over there.”

Rivalry Continued

The Red Sox and Yankees will renew their rivalry with another postseason matchup beginning next week. 

It’ll be a rematch of last year’s American League Wild Card Series, the New York Yankees will host the Boston Red Sox in a best-of-three game series. 

New York (93-68) enters the series finishing in second place in the American League East and the No. 1 Wild Card team. Boston was on the Yankees' heels all summer long, following their epic season-turnaround. The Sox (87-74), was the fifth seed the American League, capturing it’s second-straight postseason berth. 

The two teams were evenly matched throughout the regular season, with the Yankees holding a slight 7-6 edge in the season series. The Wild Card Series winner will advance to the ALDS to face the AL East champion Rays, who finished with the American League’s best record at 97-63.

Both teams have interesting storylines heading into next week’s matchup. 

Will Aaron Judge play in the series? What about Willson Contreras? Who starts Game 1 for the Yankees? What’s Garrett Crochet’s status for the series?

All Rise?

Judge’s availability for the Wild Card Series remains one of the biggest questions surrounding the Yankees as they prepare to host the Red Sox beginning Tuesday.

The slugger has already missed 84 games this season because of a rib stress fracture and was still working his way back when he suffered a calf strain Sept. 16.

The Yankees slugger told reporters last weekend that he was dealing with a soleus strain in his calf. Boone added context Tuesday, describing it as a “moderate grade” strain and saying New York was preparing as though Judge wouldn't be available for the Wild Card Series, though he stopped short of ruling him out.

Judge wasn’t thrilled with his skipper's comments. 

“Everybody’s moderate is a little different,” Judge said. “Your moderate is a little different than my moderate, so on and so on. So, I don’t know why he used those words. But, like I said, I’m trying to get back as soon as I can.”

Judge later emphasized that Boone remains “my guy” and said he trusts his manager’s decisions.

The bigger question now is whether the Yankees will use one of their 26 roster spots on Judge even if he isn’t ready to return to the lineup.

Judge received a platelet-poor plasma injection Monday in an effort to aid the healing process and has resumed physical activity. As of Friday, however, he had yet to swing a bat since suffering the injury.

Judge has also indicated he wants to return as a right fielder rather than being limited to designated hitter. Given the calf injury and the short turnaround, New York could instead consider carrying him as a pinch-hitting option.

Doing so would create another roster decision. The Yankees carried 12 pitchers for last year’s Wild Card Series, but Boone indicated they could go with fewer this time.

“I see no scenario where we’re going to have 13 pitchers, maybe not even 12,” Boone said. “We’ll see.”

Contreras’ Status Remains Major Concern

Contreras’ availability has become the most pressing question for the Red Sox ahead of their Wild Card Series against the Yankees, especially with Mickey Gasper also expected to miss significant time because of a biceps injury suffered Friday.

Contreras, arguably Boston’s most important bat, has not played since being hit by a pitch on his right hand Sept. 17. He attempted to swing Wednesday but couldn’t do so without pain. He tried Thursday again, hoping another day of treatment would make a difference, but encountered the same problem.

“I tried to swing yesterday, couldn’t swing, I tried to swing today and couldn’t swing, so we’re taking it day by day, putting in all my efforts with the trainers on my hand to make it feel better,” Contreras said Thursday.

Contreras remained out for both games of Friday’s doubleheader and did not swing a bat during the day, Chad Tracy told reporters afterward.

With Saturday now an off day before Sunday’s regular-season finale, Boston can give Contreras additional time to rest and receive treatment before Game 1 on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Gasper’s injury heightens the stakes. Tracy described Gasper’s biceps injury as “significant” Friday, making his availability for the series unlikely.

If both are unavailable, the Red Sox would enter the Bronx without two bats they expected to factor prominently into their postseason lineup, and without Contreras, their leading home run hitter and one of their most productive offensive players.

Without Contreras, the Sox leave a massive hole in the middle of Boston's lineup at the most important time of the season. Contreras leads the club with 27 home runs while batting .276 with 81 RBI and a .905 OPS. 

Yankees Weighing Game 1 Starter

The Yankees have a decision to make at the top of their rotation before Tuesday’s Wild Card Series opener against the Red Sox.

Despite Cam Schlittler emerging as the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award, New York has considered starting left-hander Max Fried in Game 1 and holding Schlittler for Game 2.

Schlittler entered his final regular-season start with a career-high 190 2/3 innings and has been working on regular rest. Pushing him back to Wednesday would give him an extra day of recovery while still allowing the Yankees to potentially use him twice in the ALDS if they advance.

Schlittler, however, would be lined up to pitch Tuesday on four days’ rest. He also has recent postseason success against Boston, adding another layer to the decision.

Fried would be working on six days’ rest if selected for Game 1. Gerrit Cole is another possibility after finishing his regular season Wednesday, although his recent struggles could push him behind Fried and Schlittler in New York’s postseason plans.

Pitching coach Matt Blake has said the Yankees continue to “put a lot of trust” in Cole in big situations. Carlos Rodón also factors into the equation and could start a potential Game 3, leaving Cole without a start in the Wild Card Series.

What's Up with Crochet?

While the Yankees determine how to line up their rotation, the Red Sox will get another important look at Crochet on Saturday.

Crochet traveled to Fort Myers as part of Boston’s stay-ready group and is scheduled to throw his second live batting practice at JetBlue Park. The session was originally scheduled for Fenway Park, but the impending nor’easter forced the Red Sox to move it to their spring training complex.

“There’s no choice there,” manager Chad Tracy said Thursday. “It doesn’t look like you’re going to be able to do anything outside here at least right now for two days. So he’ll travel to Fort Myers, likely tomorrow to get down there and still stay on schedule for a live BP Saturday.”

Crochet hasn’t appeared in a game since April 25 because of left shoulder inflammation. Rather than activate him for the final weekend of the regular season, Boston opted to continue his throwing progression with another controlled live session.

The left-hander threw 16 pitches during his first live BP Tuesday at Fenway Park, with his fastball reaching 96 mph.

Saturday represents another significant test as the Red Sox determine whether Crochet can contribute out of the bullpen against the Yankees.

“He might increase pitches,” Tracy said.

With Game 1 only three days away, the session could go a long way toward determining whether Boston’s ace has done enough to earn a spot on the Wild Card roster.

Verlander Gets Storybook Sendoff in Final Start

Justin Verlander threw the final pitch of his remarkable 21-year major league career Saturday, and the Tigers made sure his farewell was about much more than the box score.

The 43-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out six in Detroit’s 4-3 walk-off victory over the Pirates at Comerica Park. Eduardo Valencia ultimately delivered the storybook finish with a two-run walk-off homer.

But the lasting image came when Verlander left the mound.

After Brandon Lowe popped out to begin the sixth inning, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch emerged from the dugout and pointed toward the stands. Verlander’s 7-year-old daughter, Genevieve, wearing her father’s Tigers jersey, ran onto the field and embraced him on the mound.

An emotional Verlander hugged his daughter before Hinch and the rest of the Tigers joined them. Verlander then walked off the field holding Genevieve’s hand as the Comerica Park crowd gave him an extended standing ovation.

His wife, Kate Upton, and their 1-year-old son, Bellamy, joined them near the dugout for another family embrace before Verlander tipped his cap to the crowd and disappeared down the dugout steps.

The farewell capped a career that began with Detroit on July 4, 2005. Verlander finishes with a 266-159 record, 3.33 ERA, and 3,560 strikeouts, the eighth-most in major league history. He was selected to 10 All-Star teams and won three Cy Young Awards.

Saturday marked just his second start of the season after hip and hamstring injuries derailed much of his final year. Pittsburgh touched him for solo homers by Lowe and Nick Gonzales, but the afternoon was always going to be remembered for something larger.

Verlander took the field alone before the first inning as his teammates remained in the dugout, allowing him to soak in another ovation.

More than two decades after first taking the mound in a major league uniform, he walked off one for the final time with his daughter by his side.

Verlander leaves behind Hall of Fame résumé

Verlander’s final start Saturday closed the book on a 21-year career that will eventually take him to Cooperstown.

The future Hall of Famer finishes with 3,560 strikeouts over 3,576⅔ innings and 557 starts. He won two World Series championships, three Cy Young Awards, the 2011 American League MVP and the 2006 AL Rookie of the Year.

His 3,560 strikeouts rank eighth in major league history. Verlander also recorded nine seasons with at least 200 strikeouts, making him one of only nine pitchers to reach that mark at least nine times. He peaked with 300 strikeouts in 2019, the same season Cole recorded 326.

Verlander also threw three no-hitters. He no-hit Milwaukee on June 12, 2007, before doing it twice against Toronto at Rogers Centre, May 7, 2011, and Sept. 1, 2019. He is one of only six pitchers in major league history with at least three no-hitters and the only pitcher to throw multiple road no-hitters against the same opponent.

His historic 2011 season remains one of the defining points of his career. Verlander won both the AL Cy Young and MVP, becoming one of only 11 players to win both awards. No pitcher accomplished the feat again until Clayton Kershaw in 2014.

Verlander’s three Cy Young Awards also put him among just 11 pitchers to win the award at least three times. His victories in 2011 and 2022 were unanimous, making him one of only six pitchers with multiple unanimous Cy Young selections.

Perhaps his most remarkable Cy Young came at age 39. After missing the entire 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Verlander returned to win the award unanimously in 2022, becoming the first pitcher to win a Cy Young after throwing zero major league innings the previous season.

From Rookie of the Year to MVP, three Cy Youngs, two championships, three no-hitters and more than 3,500 strikeouts, Verlander walks away with one of the most decorated pitching résumés of his generation.

Guerrero Walks Back Contract Comments

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. apologized Friday for comments suggesting players are paid for what they have already accomplished rather than what they will do in the future, reversing course two days after saying he had no regrets about the remarks.

“I just gave it some thought,” Guerrero said through team interpreter Hector Lebron, “and I felt like the comments I made the other day are not what I really wanted to say. I really feel that everyone, my fans, everyone deserves an apology from me.”

Guerrero, finishing the first season of a 14-year, $500 million contract with Toronto, said his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., encouraged him to apologize. The first baseman said he was surprised by the backlash and never intended to suggest that getting paid meant his performance no longer mattered.

The comments landed particularly poorly amid a disappointing season for both Guerrero and the Blue Jays. After emerging as an October hero a year ago with eight postseason home runs, Guerrero has posted a .695 OPS with nine homers this season as Toronto fell out of postseason contention in late September.

Manager John Schneider said Guerrero wanted to address the situation when he arrived at the ballpark Friday. Guerrero also apologized to his teammates.

“You got to kind of handle it,” Schneider said, “within the people you’re with every day.”

The attention now shifts to what could be an unusually important offseason for Guerrero. With a possible lockout limiting contact between teams and players, Schneider said players could bear more responsibility for following their individualized offseason programs.

For Guerrero, the second year of his massive contract will give him a chance to change the conversation with his performance.

“I want to make my contract a great one,” Guerrero said.

Early Impresses in Nationals Debut

Exactly two months after the Red Sox traded him to Washington, left-hander Connelly Early finally made his Nationals debut Saturday afternoon.

Early, who had been sidelined since July 1 with left elbow inflammation, tossed three scoreless innings in Washington’s 7-1 loss to the Mets at Nationals Park. He allowed just one hit, did not issue a walk and struck out one while throwing 34 pitches.

“I feel like the mound’s a place of peace for me,” Early said to reporters after the game. “I feel good out there. I feel confident. I don’t really show it, but I have a bunch of joy when I’m out there pitching. So it was good to be back out there.”

Early became increasingly efficient as the outing progressed, throwing 16 pitches in the first inning, 10 in the second and just eight in the third.

“It was awesome to see him on the mound, first and foremost,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said. "I thought he looked really good. He attacked hitters, he wasn’t afraid, [he] threw a ton of strikes. I was happy with the performance.”

At the time of the trade, Early was 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts for the Red Sox. Boston selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft out of Virginia, and he made his major league debut last September.

Washington now views Early as a potential fixture in its 2027 rotation, with the left-hander potentially slotting behind Cade Cavalli.

“I’m super excited [for next season’s team],” Early said. “Obviously, we made some really big jumps this year. The offense has been insanely good and the pitching has been working their [butt] off. We haven’t taken anything lightly. Obviously [we] haven’t had the best year, and we hope to go out there and win a lot more games next year.”

Red Sox Announce 2026 Minor League Award Winners

The Red Sox announced their 2026 Minor League Award winners, headlined by left-hander Dylan Brown as Pitcher of the Year and infielder Franklin Arias as Offensive Player of the Year.

Pitcher of the Year: LHP Dylan Brown

Offensive Player of the Year: INF Franklin Arias

Defensive Player of the Year: C Gerardo Rodriguez

Baserunner of the Year: OF Andrews Opata

Latin Program Position Player of the Year: OF Joskairo Ramirez

Latin Program Pitcher of the Year: RHP Emanuel Jimenez

Brown, 22, posted a 3.46 ERA with 143 strikeouts over 106 2/3 innings between Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville in his first professional season. The 2025 eighth-round pick led all Red Sox minor leaguers in strikeouts.

Arias continued his rapid rise through the organization, batting .323 with 25 homers, 91 RBI and a .957 OPS in 117 games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. The 20-year-old, ranked among the top three prospects in baseball by both Baseball America and MLB.com, led Boston’s system in hits, home runs, extra-base hits, RBI and total bases.

Catcher Gerardo Rodriguez was named Defensive Player of the Year after throwing out an organization-high 38 attempted base stealers at High-A Greenville, while Salem outfielder Andrews Opata earned Baserunner of the Year honors after stealing 54 bases in 62 attempts during his professional debut.

Outfielder Joskairo Ramirez, 17, was named Latin Program Position Player of the Year after posting a .320/.443/.553 slash line in the Dominican Summer League. Right-hander Emanuel Jimenez earned Latin Program Pitcher of the Year after recording a 2.73 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 33 innings.

Right-hander Wyatt Olds was also named the recipient of the Lou Gorman Award, given annually to a Red Sox minor leaguer who demonstrates dedication and perseverance in overcoming obstacles while working toward the major leagues.

Around the League

Yelich makes Brewers history: The Brewers named Christian Yelich team captain, making him the first player in franchise history to officially hold the title. Yelich will wear a “C” on his jersey.

Ortiz undergoes MRI on injured knee: The Brewers sent third baseman Joey Ortiz for an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of a right knee injury with the postseason approaching.

Ortiz initially injured the knee Thursday in Philadelphia when he banged it while attempting to make a play in foul territory. He was scheduled to receive Friday off but was pressed into action against the Cardinals after rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt was scratched because of an illness.

Ortiz made it until the eighth inning before leaving the game. Although he wasn’t involved in the play immediately preceding his departure, television cameras showed him severely limping in the dugout.

The timing creates another injury concern for Milwaukee just days before the postseason begins.

Burnes lands back on IL: The Diamondbacks placed Corbin Burnes on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, forcing him to miss his scheduled start Saturday against the Padres.

Burnes signed a six-year, $210 million deal with Arizona before the 2025 season but made just 11 starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery. A torn muscle in the shoulder area delayed his return this season before he finally made his debut Sept. 8 with three scoreless innings. He allowed nine runs over 7⅓ innings in his next two starts.

Scherzer not ready to make retirement call: Max Scherzer will wait until the offseason before deciding whether to return for a 20th major league season.

The 42-year-old, three-time Cy Young Award winner plans to make one more appearance for Toronto on three days’ rest in Sunday’s season finale. Scherzer said he wanted to ensure his wife and children had an opportunity to see him pitch one more time regardless of what he ultimately decides. Scherzer has 224 career victories and ranks ninth in MLB history with 3,550 strikeouts.

Montgomery sets unwanted strikeout record: White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery set a major league record Friday night when he struck out for the 224th time this season, surpassing Mark Reynolds’ previous single-season mark of 223 set with Arizona in 2009.

Montgomery, 24, tied Reynolds’ record Thursday before breaking it on a called third strike against Colorado right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.

Yankees retire Sabathia’s No. 52: The Yankees retired CC Sabathia’s No. 52 on Friday, with the Hall of Famer also receiving a plaque in Monument Park.

“You don’t ever think you’re going to win the Yankees’ fans over,” Sabathia said. “To be able to be sitting here now, playing here 11 years, it’s an incredible feeling. That’s why I’ve said the last couple of weeks that this feels bigger to me than the Hall of Fame, because I knew what was at stake when I came here.”

Yates calls it a career: Veteran reliever Kirby Yates announced his retirement following Pittsburgh’s 4-3 loss to Detroit on Saturday. The 39-year-old said the 2026 season would be his last.

“I don’t have anything left. Let’s put it that way,” Yates said. “I’ve been running on fumes for a while and I think it’s just time, and it’s felt like it’s been time for a little while now.”

Treinen out for the season: Dodgers' Blake Treinen suffered shoulder injury warming up on Saturday; will miss rest of season.

Three prospects to watch in 2027: With the minor league season in the books, here are three names worth remembering heading into 2027.

Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula broke out with a .303/.401/.547 line, 27 homers, 104 RBI and 31 steals before reaching the majors. His combination of contact, plate discipline and emerging power gives him one of the highest offensive ceilings in the minors.

Dodgers outfielder James Tibbs III (remember him) produced 30 homers, 107 RBI and a .941 OPS while spending the season at Triple-A. There is swing-and-miss in his game, but the power and plate discipline give him a chance to become an impact major league bat.

Nationals shortstop prospect Eli Willits, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, climbed three levels in his first full season while hitting .265 with a .406 on-base percentage and stealing 62 bases. The switch-hitter’s advanced approach and plus-plus speed give him the ingredients of a future leadoff hitter.