The Boston Red Sox are facing a significant setback behind the plate, as catcher Connor Wong has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken left pinkie finger, sustained on a catcher’s interference play during the first inning of Monday night’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Alex Cora confirmed the injury postgame.
Boston has not yet announced the corresponding roster move, but changes are expected soon.
Connor Wong Injury Hampers Red Sox Catching Depth
Wong had started seven of Boston’s first 11 games this season, but had struggled at the plate with just two singles and three walks in 23 at-bats. He enjoyed a breakout 2023 campaign, hitting .280/.333/.425 with 13 home runs across 487 plate appearances.
Following the offseason trade of top catching prospect Kyle Teel in the Garrett Crochet deal, the Red Sox committed to Wong as their starting catcher and brought in Carlos Narváez from the New York Yankees to back him up.
Carlos Narváez Set for Expanded Role
With Wong sidelined, Narváez is expected to step into a starting role for the first time in his young career. The 26-year-old has only logged 11 MLB appearances but put together a solid .254/.370/.412 line with 11 homers over 96 Triple-A games last season. While his strikeout rate raises concerns, the Red Sox have praised his receiving skills and game management behind the plate.
Blake Sabol Likely to Be Called Up
The Red Sox are expected to call up Blake Sabol as Narváez’s backup. Sabol, acquired from the San Francisco Giants this offseason, is the only other catcher on the team’s 40-man roster.
The 26-year-old left-handed hitter owns a career .243/.313/.392 slash line with 13 home runs in 382 plate appearances. Though Sabol may offer more offensive upside, his defensive skills — particularly blocking and framing — are considered less refined than Narváez’s.
In San Francisco, Sabol was used primarily as a third catcher and corner outfielder, not a regular behind the plate.
