As of last week, Red Sox utility infielder Romy Gonzalez was experiencing shoulder troubles and received a platelet-rich plasma injection. He admitted that he would likely miss Opening Day, though he may end up missing significantly more time. Today, Sean McAdam of MassLive adds that Gonzalez will visit a shoulder specialist next week to see if he needs to undergo surgery. Gonzalez opined that surgery “is not a season-ender by any means, in my opinion,” though any longer absence for the lefty-mashing infielder will be a blow to the Red Sox’ lineup regardless.
The right-handed-hitting Gonzalez injured his shoulder at the end of 2025 and experienced renewed soreness in January while ramping up for Spring Training. He posted career-best offensive numbers in 2025, batting .305/.343/.483 with a 123 wRC+ in 341 plate appearances for the Sox. While his performance against right-handers was slightly below average (95 wRC+), he absolutely teed off on southpaws. In 143 PA with the platoon advantage, Gonzalez hit seven of his nine home runs and posted a 162 wRC+ that was tied for 12th-best among hitters with at least 100 PA against lefties. Obviously, the team will hope he avoids surgery, but with that kind of production, they’ll do what it takes to ensure Gonzalez comes back at full strength.
A few other injury updates from around the league:
- Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson faced live hitters for the first time on Friday as he works to be ready for Opening Day, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Stephenson said there is understandably “a little polishing to do” but added that he felt good physically and reached 95 MPH on his fastball (he averaged 96.4 MPH on his four-seamer last year). Tommy John surgery and symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome have limited him to 10 innings with Los Angeles. In his last healthy season in 2023, Stephenson threw 52 1/3 innings with a 3.10 ERA and a well-above-average 38.3% strikeout rate. When healthy, he should factor into the late-inning mix with fellow right-hander Ben Joyce, who is currently rehabbing his own shoulder issue.
- Reds outfielder Blake Dunn is going for an MRI on his left knee today, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Dunn hyperextended his left knee while attempting to make a catch yesterday. The 27-year-old was a 15th-round draft pick by the Reds in 2021 and appeared in 49 big-league games from 2024-25, though he has posted just a 63 wRC+. He fared much better at Triple-A in 2025, batting .291/.397/.401 with a 121 wRC+ along with 24 stolen bases in 98 games. Currently, Cincinnati has Will Benson, Dane Myers, and Spencer Steer on hand as outfield backups. A healthy Dunn will stay at Triple-A for depth. [UPDATE: Dunn is dealing with a lower-grade knee strain, manager Terry Francona told Charlie Goldsmith and other reporters. Dunn will be sidelined for a few days, but appears to have avoided a lengthy absence.]
- Dodgers utilityman Tommy Edman took light batting practice yesterday, per Fabian Ardaya of the Athletic. He could face higher velocity off a machine in a few days if he continues to progress, but he is still weeks away from being fully ramped up. Edman underwent surgery in November to address an ankle issue that plagued him all season. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed a couple of weeks ago that Edman would begin the year on the injured list. This news won’t move up his return, though in any case, the team wants Edman at full strength. He is entering the second year of his five-year, $74MM contract. He posted an 81 wRC+ in 97 games in 2025, showing a drop in power while also striking out slightly less than in 2024.
Photo courtesy of D. Ross Cameron, Imagn Images
Most people don’t realize how valuable Romy was against LHP last year, which is a major weakness with the majority of the lineup. Hope he can return in the first half, the Sox need him especially with Ref gone.
Hopefully Campbell can replace him as a lefty killer, utility man. Although he shouldn’t have an infielder’s glove.
ellis – First thing Campbell needs to do is just play well enough to make the team. The homerun off Verlander was a start.
I think the hitting will come. Especially if he mostly faces lefties. The Sox are covered for righties. And if he has to play occasionally at 2B to spell Mayer vs tough lefties it shouldn’t kill The Sox.
No, Campbell should not play second other than due to an emergency. Hopefully, he’s maturing but you don’t want to damage what has been a fragile mindset.
Sounds like Gonzalez is a nice platoon
astros – Yes, him and Refsnyder were fantastic against LHP.
Henry Bolte off to a good start this spring for the A’s.
Nick Madrigal 2 for 4 today for the Halos.
Daniel Espino 3K, 1H 0ER in 1.0 IP for the Guards.
Three players I noticed in the box scores today.
Yeah romy is out until the ASG at least
Who was Romy’s expected platoon? Durbin? Meyer? I’m pretty sure they expect Contreras and Story to be every day players.
I’m guessing Mayer would platoon with Romy at 2B with Durbin playing 3B.
A Mayer/Gonzalez platoon has been floated for a while. I wonder if this might mean a last minute trade? Losing both Refsnyder and Romy makes them extremely light when it comes to decent right handed batters.
I don’t think Mayer or Durbin had to be platooned either. I think the plan was for Romy to play wherever they needed him except SS. Have him come around the diamond.
Durbin hits righthanded.
Dunn would not have made the team anyway but still feel bad for him missing development time in AAA.
I am more confused as to what Hinds has to do to make the team. At this point, trade the kid so he has a chance to shine somewhere else.
Understood. I have been saying the same thing about Hinds. He isn’t getting at bats in the big leagues with the Reds for whatever reason despite showing potential at times.
Instead they let Benson strike out 40% of the time for two years and bring in a similar guy to Benson in Bleday instead of giving Hinds some time to prove himself…or not
Stephenson is still hurt…
Wow.
3rd time
Way more than 3 times. Whole career. Was going to be great in Cincinnati until they finally realized he couldn’t string together 2 healthy months
Looks like the angels have young pitching on the way. Klassan, Ryan Johnson.
Looks like Jorge soler is healthy. Candelario is a win. Madrigal is a win.
Go 4.3 angels. I have moved on. Can’t even go to another game. The last one was in 2021.
Madrigal will be AAA bound.
I’ll believe Stephenson is pitching when I see him on the mound.
Bet the Dodgers wish they hadn’t signed Edman for 5 years.
When Edman is well, he’s a huge asset!!!
The Trouble is … he hasn’t been well for a complete season going back several years!!!
bet they like how much he had to do w the first championship and look forward to his continued excellent play
Not the news I wanted on Romy….love the dude on the Sox