Red Sox Infielder Marcelo Mayer Faces Potential Season-Ending Surgery
BOSTON, MA – August 3, 2025 – Boston Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer’s wrist injury is more serious than initially believed, perhaps requiring season-ending surgery, according to a report from USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale. The development casts doubt on the 21-year-old’s return this season and impacts the Red Sox’s infield configuration.
Mayer,the Red Sox’s top prospect and ranked as the No.7 overall prospect by Baseball America prior to the season, sustained the injury during a recent game at Fenway Park. The team initially hoped an anti-inflammatory injection would accelerate his recovery, a course of action Red Sox manager Alex Cora discussed on Saturday.
“He really wants to get back, and this is the route,” Cora stated. “We’ll see how he reacts to it, then we’ll go from there… We have to wait three days to see if it effectively works, and then he starts doing baseball activities.”
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However, Nightengale’s report indicates that consultations with specialists suggest surgery may be necesary. A final decision is pending those consultations, but the possibility of surgery considerably diminishes the likelihood of Mayer returning before the end of the 2025 season.
Mayer was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the trade that sent outfielder Kiké Hernández to Los Angeles on February 1, 2024. He made his Major League debut on May 24, 2025, and appeared in 44 games for Boston, batting .228 with a .272 on-base percentage, a .402 slugging percentage, and four home runs. He recorded 23 RBIs and 31 hits in 136 at-bats.
Prior to his injury, Mayer had recently transitioned from his primary position at third base to second base following the return of Alex Bregman to the lineup. This shift prompted manager Cora to increase centre fielder Ceddanne Rafaela’s playing time at second base. The Red Sox have also been evaluating Pablo Reyes and Enmanuel valdez at the position.
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While Mayer demonstrated promising power and defensive potential during his initial stint in the majors, the Red Sox are prioritizing his long-term health. The team views Mayer as a cornerstone of their future infield and are unwilling to risk further injury by rushing his return. His absence will be felt, but the institution remains focused on his full recovery and continued development.
