'I Wanted To Push Him': Red Sox Manager Announces Decision On Marcelo Mayer For Opening Day

Marcelo Mayer was one of the top prospects in the Boston Red Sox organization to make his MLB debut last year. The 22-year-old came up as an infield replacement after Alex Bregman landed on the IL in May. Despite playing slightly out of position at third base, Mayer settled in well defensively. But he certainly did not swing a hot bat at the plate.

Nevertheless, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced that Marcelo Mayer will be the starting second baseman for the team on Opening Day. Cora admitted to driving the young infielder hard to make specific adjustments to his game. The Red skipper feels Mayer has made tremendous improvement over the winter and earned a starting role for the team.

“Marcelo is going to be our second baseman,” Cora told reporters at the Red Sox spring training camp in Fort Myers, Florida, and added, “I talked to him today. He did an amazing job in the offseason.”

“I wanted to push him,” Cora said and continued, “Nothing is given here. Obviously, last year wasn’t great for him offensively, but it’s part of the process, and he understands that. We have some capable players here that can play second base most of the time, too. It was out of respect for the whole group and understanding there were certain things he needed to do.”