Overview
- Pitching for Puerto Rico at JetBlue Park, Elmer Rodríguez threw three scoreless innings against the Red Sox, yielding one bunt single with two walks and two strikeouts.
- Carlos Narváez, Boston’s starting catcher, was scratched with a left-side back spasm and said he expects to catch Wednesday against New York.
- The December 2024 trade sent Rodríguez to the Yankees for Narváez, who took over as Boston’s starter in 2025 and produced a .726 OPS with 50 RBIs.
- Rodríguez advanced rapidly in 2025 with a 2.58 ERA and 174 strikeouts over 150 innings across multiple levels and now profiles as a near‑majors starter.
- Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the WBC will make Rodríguez better and that Boston will have to face him, while outside analyses suggest he could reach the Yankees this season due to rotation openings.