BOSTON — When the Red Sox acquired Willson Contreras in an effort to solidify the first base position days before Christmas , Triston Casas ’ path to meaningful at-bats in 2026 became much less clear. After two straight seasons in which he was the Opening Day first baseman, then suffered a serious injury that cost him significant time, Casas was cast as an odd man out.
That reality, Casas said Saturday at Fenway Fest, didn’t serve as any type of wake-up call or a shock. He expressed as much in a conversation with chief baseball officer Craig Breslow shortly after the Contreras deal was finalized .
“I wasn’t surprised, to answer the question,” Casas said. “The first baseman position for this team has lacked over the last couple years, the production from that spot. As of right now, the way that is is, he’s a better player than me and has been for his entire career. To upgrade at a position that has been deficient for the last two years is exactly what the team needed. Hopefully, I can come back to the player I was a couple years ago and know what I can be and contribute to the team whatever fashion and at whatever position they see fit for me.”
Casas, who ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee in a collision while running down the first base line on May 2 , is back to participating in all baseball activities and expects to return early in the regular season, though he acknowledged Opening Day, which would mark 11 months since the injury, was something of a “tight squeeze.” When he does return, Casas is no longer guaranteed a starting spot in Boston’s lineup. With Contreras expected to get the lion’s share of time at first base, Casas could serve as the designated hitter, though Boston already has four outfielders for three starting spots and Masataka Yoshida on the roster. Injuries and other attrition are inevitable, though, potentially clearing a path for Casas to contribute when fully healthy.
“I don’t have any expectation for that,” he said about his role. “I expect (Contreras) is gonna get a lot of reps at first base. I don’t think he has been playing the position for very long, but his defensive numbers have been quite stellar considering the change from catcher to first base. I think everybody’s impressed. I expect him to get that role, at least to start the season, but there’s going to be a lot of turnover on the roster like there is every year. Hopefully, I can find a spot to make my mark.”
Both Breslow and manager Alex Cora have identified getting healthy as Casas’ priority early in camp, and it’s almost certain he’ll be behind the other position players when everyone reports to Fort Myers next month. Casas aims to play in spring training games ahead of his early-season return and plans to let his role take care of itself.
“I’m trying to control what I can,” Casas said. “It hasn’t worked out for me how I’ve imagined it too, but that doesn’t mean this year, I can’t re-write that script.”
“I’ve had no wake-up calls my whole life. I’ve tried to stay ahead of the curve and this is going to be no different.”
Casas looked like a future star for the Red Sox in his first full big league season in 2023, when he rode a stellar second half to a .263 average, 24 homers, 21 doubles and an .856 OPS in 132 games. A cartilage tear in his rib cage limited him to 63 games in 2024 and the knee injury ended his 2025 season after just 29 appearances. Without the injuries, there’s a chance Casas would have established himself as Boston’s first baseman of the future. There have been on-field struggles, too, like the start of last season which saw him go 18-for-99 (.182) with 27 strikeouts before the injury.
As he approaches his 26th birthday on Thursday, Casas remains high on his potential to turn into a bonafide major league star. He knows proving his talent — and health — is the next step.
“I definitely believe in my abilities and think they’re up there with the best in the game,” Casas. “I’ve just got to be on the field, stay healthy and get that sample size.
“I’ve had good stretches as a major league player. I’ve had mostly bad ones. I see and know the habits of the best and I think I’m right there with them. I haven’t shown it on the field, but mentally, I think that I still have that potential of being an All-Star-caliber player.”
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