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Red Sox Make Major Kristian Campbell Announcement Before Monday’s Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 7:46 PM ET

As it turns out, top Boston Red Sox infield prospect Kristian Campbell won’t make his debut at first base this week after all.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters on Monday afternoon that, despite recent plans to try Campbell at first, the top prospect will remain at second base. Instead, Cora will use the surging Abraham Toro and Romy González as his first basemen.

The Red Sox lost starting first baseman Triston Casas to a season-ending left knee injury on May 2.

“[Campbell] will still take grounders here and there,” Cora said, via MassLive, “but it’s nothing that we’re planning on doing now.”

Boston initially planned to give Campbell his first start at first base on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. However, Toro manned first, notched two hits, and scored a run in the 3-1 victory.

Campbell hit seventh and went 1-for-4 with a strikeout.

The Red Sox figure to be in the trade market for a first baseman either way. All-Star designated hitter Rafael Devers has publicly resisted a move to first, and it appears Alex Bregman will remain at third when he recovers from a quad injury.

Campbell, meanwhile, looks to get back on track after hitting just .134 with a 27-5 K-BB ratio and dreadful .355 OPS in 87 May plate appearances.

“We still believe in the swing,” Cora said of Campbell, who batted .301 and recorded four homers, eight RBI, and a .902 OPS across his first 29 games.

Campbell entered Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels batting .228 with five home runs, 16 RBI, and a .662 OPS over 214 plate appearances.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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