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Carlos Narvaez benched: it reeks of punishment

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 4:34 PM ET

The Red Sox are off to a rough start this season.

The team is 1-4, which isn't great… but more than anything, it feels like things just aren't clicking. Offensively speaking, it's been pretty lackluster since the start of the season.

It's too early to panic, of course. But in Boston, people are already starting to complain.

And now, a situation the team absolutely didn't need has just arisen regarding today's lineup and catcher Carlos Narvaez.

Basically, manager Alex Cora said that Narvaez was pulled from the Red Sox's starting lineup at the last minute. He also said it wasn't due to health issues.

When asked if it was a disciplinary issue, Cora said he didn't want to discuss it and would keep it internal. So, when you break it down, it reeks of punishment.

Alex Cora would not give a reason why Carlos Narváez was scratched from the Red Sox lineup. Asked if it is discipline, Cora said he wants to keep it between him and Narváez.

— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) April 1, 2026

Not ideal, you say?

We don't know what Narváez did, and it might not necessarily matter. Maybe he was just late for a meeting—which is serious, but not a catastrophe.

But the point remains: it's early in an already controversial season for a story like this to highlight what's going wrong within the Red Sox organization.

In any case, things will need to get back on track quickly.

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This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

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