Red Sox Announce Opening Day Roster

The Red Sox will begin the 2018 season on Thursday afternoon with this 25-man roster:

Infielders (6): Hanley Ramirez, Mitch Moreland, Eduardo Nunez, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, Brock Holt

Outfielders (4): Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez

Catchers (3): Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon, Blake Swihart

Starting Pitchers (5): Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Brian Johnson, Hector Velazquez

Bullpen (7): Craig Kimbrel, Carson Smith, Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Bobby Poyner, Marcus Walden

Eduardo Rodriguez, Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright will begin the season on the disabled list. Wright's 15-game suspension will not begin until he's off the DL.

Rafael Devers avoided a serious injury yesterday. He was on third base when Cubs catcher Victor Caratini's toss back to the mound went over the pitcher's head. Devers sprinted home and, after an awkward head-first slide into Caratini, was slow to get up. He suffered a right knee contusion, but said that "God permitting", he will be in Thursday's lineup.

When I saw the catcher coming toward me I tried to hit the ground before he could get there and the collision happened. At first, I felt scared because it was a clear pain in my knee. I thought it was worse, but I stood up and felt the knee was good.

The Red Sox received outfielder Ramon Flores from the Diamondbacks (probably in connection with the trade of Deven Marrero) and assigned him to Pawtucket. Flores was signed as an international free agent in 2008 and has been with the Yankees, Mariners, Brewers, Angels, and Diamondbacks since 2015. In 331 plate appearances in the majors (most of them coming in 2016), Flores has batted .204/.281/.256.