For a Boston Red Sox team that needs everything to go right in order to be competitive in 2024, the bad news is starting early.
According to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, second baseman Vaughn Grissom could be out for Opening Day as he battles a groin strain.
Vaughn Grissom has a groin strain. Opening Day in doubt, per Alex Cora.
The 23-year-old Grissom was acquired in the offseason deal that sent Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves. His tantalizing upside and subsequent development is one of the biggest storylines to watch for the Sox in 2024, and if he pans out, he could be a foundational piece of the organization moving forward.
Grissom made his major league debut with the Braves in 2022 and appeared in games in each of the last two seasons at the major league level.
He played in 41 games for the Braves in 2022 and hit .291. He hit .280 in 2023, but only in 23 games. There were questions about his ability to play shortstop, so Atlanta locked up Orlando Arcia long-term. The Red Sox will be utilizing him at second base and Trevor Story at shortstop.
In the absence of Grissom, the Sox figure to utilize Enmanuel Valdez at second base. He was acquired in a 2022 trade with the Houston Astros and has appeared in games for the Sox in each of the last two seasons.
Boston finished last in the American League East last season and is projected to finish there again this year.
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