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Marcelo Mayer takes former Red Sox teammate’s No. 11 for 2026 season
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- Marcelo Mayer takes former Red Sox teammate’s No. 11 for 2026 season
Marcelo Mayer won't don No. 39 in 2026. Instead, he'll wear a number familiar to Red Sox fans.
The infielder will take over No. 11 next season. It was last worn by Rafael Devers during his nine years in Boston .
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The Red Sox stunningly traded Devers in June to the San Francisco Giants after a tumultuous beginning to 2025. The veteran admitted he wouldn't give up third base to be the team's designated hitter after the team signed Alex Bregman .
That ended up happening and Devers struggled before finding a groove at his new position. The Red Sox asked him to return to the field at first base after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury in May. But Devers declined.
Mayer was called up to the Red Sox from Worcester in May, so he didn't spend a lot of time alongside Devers.
He was limited to just 44 games due to a wrist injury . Before that, he batted .228 with four home runs, 10 RBI and a .402 slugging percentage.
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Mayer figures to be a big part of Boston's lineup in 2026. It's unclear where he'll play — that will likely depend on whether the Red Sox re-sign Bregman — but he's expected to be ready for Opening Day in March after he underwent wrist surgery in August .
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