Overview
- Reports Tuesday detailed a spring‑training disagreement between former manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow over where to play Marcelo Mayer and Caleb Durbin, and interim manager Chad Tracy said he will keep Mayer at second and Durbin at third.
- Craig Breslow rejected the idea of a power struggle with Cora and said their roles were a partnership focused on giving the team its best chance the rest of the season.
- Defensive metrics back the current setup, with Boston leading MLB in defensive runs saved at 30 and Durbin credited with a position‑leading six defensive runs saved at third base.
- Durbin’s bat has lagged at .165 with limited slugging, and Boston’s offense has averaged 3.86 runs per game, which helps explain why fans have called for changes despite the strong glove work.
- Cora was fired on April 25 after a poor start and Tracy’s choice to stick with the alignment suggests continuity for now, though further infield moves could follow if Durbin’s offense does not improve.