On Thursday, a day ahead of 2020 Opening Day, the Boston Red Sox revealed their initial 30-man active roster and a 26-man alternative training site roster. The alternative site players will be reporting to McCoy Stadium, the current home of the Pawtucket Red Sox.
So what is notable on the roster? Lefty Brian Johnson who many had slotted in as Boston’s fourth starter has been left off their active roster. Likely beating him out is Dylan Covey who posses the second-highest ERA amongst eligible starters in MLB history. One surprise player who made the team is catcher Jonathan Lucroy who has been considered a fringe roster candidate ever since Boston signed him back in the Spring. But then again, Lucroy has a lot of experience under Boston manager Ron Roenicke. Another surprise make is Jonathan Arauz who was a Rule 5 pick.
None of the names on Boston’s injured list were suprising.
BOSTON RED SOX ACTIVE ROSTER (30)
PITCHERS (15): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Colten Brewer, Austin Brice, Dylan Covey, Nathan Eovaldi, Matt Hall, Heath Hembree, Josh Osich, Martín Pérez, Jeffrey Springs, Phillips Valdez, Marcus Walden, Ryan Weber, Brandon Workman
CATCHERS (3): Jonathan Lucroy, Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (7): Jonathan Araúz, Xander Bogaerts, Michael Chavis, Rafael Devers, Tzu-Wei Lin, Mitch Moreland, José Peraza
OUTFIELDERS (5): Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley Jr., J.D. Martinez, Kevin Pillar, Alex Verdugo
INJURED LIST (5)
PITCHERS (4): Darwinzon Hernandez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Josh Taylor
INFIELDERS (1): Dustin Pedroia
The alternative list has a lot of familiar names for the PawSox with nine 2019 PawSox members making the team.
ALTERNATE TRAINING SITE (26)
PITCHERS (13): R.J. Alvarez, Zack Godley, Jay Groome, Kyle Hart, Tanner Houck, Brian Johnson, Mike Kickham, Robinson Leyer, Bryan Mata, Chris Mazza, Mike Shawaryn, Caleb Simpson, Domingo Tapia
CATCHERS (4): Jett Bandy, Juan Centeno, Jhonny Pereda, Connor Wong
INFIELDERS (6): C.J. Chatham, Bobby Dalbec, Jeter Downs, Marco Hernández, Yairo Muñoz, Josh Ockimey
OUTFIELDERS (3): John Andreoli, Jarren Duran, César Puello
The 2020 Boston Red Sox season kicks off on Friday at 7:30 p.m. as they host the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
