The Boston Red Sox begin their 2022 season against the New York Yankees today at 1:05 p.m. ET. Here is one sentence for every player currently on the injured list and 28-man Opening Day roster.
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Catchers
Christian Vazquez: The 2019 numbers are well beyond us.
Kevin Plawecki: The cart rides are fun, and his backup bat is a nice additive — especially for a backup catcher.
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Infielders
Rafael Devers: It sounds weird to say, but the Sox might not want him to perform too well; that will only drive up the price of his looming Mike Trout-money-deal that Boston might not be willing to meet.
Xander Bogaerts: A trusty bat with defense that won’t provide anything special.
Trevor Story: Boston could not have gotten a better deal for such a caliber player.
Travis Shaw: 30-homer seasons isn’t what he provides anymore.
Bobby Dalbec: Too many whiffs.
Jonathan Arauz: You’re not getting much other than versatility, barring a breakout year.
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Outfielders
Christian Arroyo: Staying healthy could mean an even bigger season than last in his new position.
Kiké Hernandez: Couldn’t be a better fit at just $7 million a year, though it’s a contract year.
J.D. Martinez: A big bounce-back year for him in 2021, but it’s the end of his contract and age is starting to glare.
Jackie Bradley Jr.: The Sox traded offense for defense, basically.
Alex Verdugo: The energy provider.
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Starting pitchers
Nathan Eovaldi: The ace of the staff.
Nick Pivetta: Acquired for practically nothing, before breaking out in 2021 as a middle-of-the-rotation hurler.
Rich Hill: Yes, he still plays baseball.
Michael Wacha: Hasn’t had an ERA below 4 since 3.20, but a late-season change to his arsenal last year could propel a bounce-back 2022.
Tanner Houck: Looking to parlay his nasty stuff into a breakout year.
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Relief pitchers
Matt Barnes: It’s either the 2020 version of him or the first-half 2021 version; his velocity struggles don’t make it look like the early 2021 version of him is going to happen again.
Ryan Brasier: Inconsistently good when healthy.
Kutter Crawford: Just barely made the Opening Day roster.
Austin Davis: Pretty good for the cost of just Michael Chavis.
Jake Diekman: A great left-handed acquisition, though spring struggles might be worrisome.
Hansel Robles: He’s hoping the short buildup doesn’t effect him after a great 2021 with the Sox as he panned out as a superb deadline acquisition.
Hirokazu Sawamura: Struggles at the end of the season and in spring were concerning, though the early-2021 version of him was quite impressive.
Matt Strahm: A long-haired acquisition who seeks a bounce-back year after just six appearances were made due to two long stints on the injured list (knee surgery, knee inflammation).
Phillips Valdez: The good — 2020, the bad — 2021.
Garrett Whitlock: Elite.
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Injured list
Chris Sale: Can’t stay consistently healthy, but still remains an elite pitcher.
Josh Taylor: A top lefty in the Sox pen.
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