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Red Sox have new challenge for Wilyer Abreu in ‘26: ‘He has earned the right,’ says Craig Breslow
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- Red Sox have new challenge for Wilyer Abreu in ‘26: ‘He has earned the right,’ says Craig Breslow
ORLANDO, Fla. — In his first two major league seasons, Wilyer Abreu has been a platoon player. The Red Sox have made sure to limit his exposure to left-handed pitchers in an effort to maximize their lineup every day.
Assuming Abreu isn't traded before Opening Day, expect that to change in 2026. The Red Sox want to have a two-time Gold Glove right fielder in their lineup every day , and to do so, plan to challenge Abreu to face lefties in the batter's box.
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"With Willy and some of the lefties, we have to see if they can do it," said manager Alex Cora. "It's about that time, especially with Abreu. If he can hit lefties and hit for power and play defense the way he's done the last few years, he can be the guy."
Since debuting late in the 2023 season, Abreu has gotten just 15 starts against left-handed starters — and 145 total plate appearances. In those chances, he has struggled to a .205 average and .589 OPS, numbers markedly lower than his output against righties (.265 average, .827 OPS). In 2025, the Red Sox played 45 regular season games — and two more in the postseason — against lefty starters. Abreu started just eight, hitting .230 with a homer, six doubles and a .676 OPS in 68 plate appearances.
Since Cora took over as manager in 2018, the Red Sox have slow-played their young left-handed hitters when it comes to like-handed matchups. Rafael Devers , Triston Casas , Abreu and Marcelo Mayer all come to mind. Others, like Casas and Mayer, might still get limited chances come Opening Day, but it sounds like the Red Sox are ready to take the training wheels off when it comes to the 26-year-old Abreu.
"Wilyer is a really good player," said chief baseball officer Craig Breslow . "We've seen the way he's able to impact both sides of the ball. He has earned the right to get some added runway against left-handed pitching. We feel like it's an adjustment he's capable of making. He's got such a solid defensive floor that having him out there more often than not is going to help the overall team."
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In recent years, the Red Sox were willing to play the matchup game on a daily basis because they had lefty-mashing platoon players like Rob Refsnyder and Romy Gonzalez on the roster. Refsnyder, though, is a free agent, and a s MassLive reported Monday , has a strong market that includes other American League contenders and could lead to him receiving a two-year deal.
If Refsnyder departs, at-bats will be available, especially with southpaws on the mound. Abreu will likely get some of them with utility players Kristian Campbell and Nate Eaton serving as other candidates for increased playing time. It was notable Tuesday that Cora went out of his way to praise Eaton, potentially setting the table for him to take over as a Refsnyder replacement.
"Nate, last year, the way he played in September, that was eye-opening," said Cora. "The athlete. Actually, the at-bats were really good. So we've got some intriguing guys that can step up, very athletic guys that can help us."
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