2020 Boston Red Sox season

The 2020 Boston Red Sox season is the 120th season in the team's history, and their 109th season at Fenway Park. The team entered spring training with a new leader in baseball operations, Chaim Bloom, and a new field manager, Ron Roenicke.
On March 12, 2020, MLB announced that because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks in addition to the remainder of spring training being cancelled. Four days later, it was announced that the start of the season would be pushed back indefinitely due to the recommendation made by the CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people for eight weeks. On June 23, MLB announced that pre-season training would resume by July 1, in anticipation of a regular season of 60 games. The Red Sox began their regular season on July 24, in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles.

Offseason

The team completed its 2019 season with interim executive leadership, as Brian O'Halloran, Eddie Romero, Zack Scott, and Raquel Ferreira oversaw baseball operations following the September 9 dismissal of Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations. As the season came to a close, principal owner John W. Henry and chairman Tom Werner stated that they want the team to get its payroll under the Major League Baseball luxury tax threshold. The team's 2019 payroll of $243 million was $37 million over the $206 million threshold, resulting in the team paying $13 million in luxury tax. The 2020 threshold was set at $208 million.

October 2019

On October 2, it was reported that assistant hitting coach Andy Barkett was dismissed, which was confirmed by the team on October 8.
On October 8, the team announced that ticket prices at Fenway Park during the 2020 season would increase an average of 1.7% from 2019 pricing.
On October 8, the team announced that Dana LeVangie and Brian Bannister would not return as the team's pitching coach and assistant pitching coach, respectively, although both would remain with the team in other roles.
On October 18, the team released pitcher Steven Wright, and removed Gorkys Hernández and Josh Smith from the 40-man roster, sending both outright to Pawtucket.
On October 21, Hernández, Smith, and Chris Owings elected free agency rather than accepting assignments to Triple-A Pawtucket.
On October 21, Peter Fatse was reportedly hired as the team's assistant hitting coach, which was officially announced on October 31.
On October 24, analyst Bill James announced his retirement from the Red Sox.
On October 25, the team reportedly selected Chaim Bloom as Chief Baseball Officer and Brian O'Halloran as general manager; an official announcement was made three days later, on an off-day of the 2019 World Series.
On October 31, the following players became free agents: Andrew Cashner, Jhoulys Chacín, Brock Holt, Mitch Moreland, Steve Pearce, and Rick Porcello. The team also selected Josh Osich off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
On October 31, the team officially named Dave Bush pitching coach, Kevin Walker assistant pitching coach, and Peter Fatse assistant hitting coach.
On October 31, J. D. Martinez entered a five-day period within which he could opt out of his contract ; Martinez did not opt out.
November 2019
On November 4, catcher Juan Centeno was removed from the 40-man roster and elected to become a free agent.
On November 12, Tony La Russa, who had worked with the Red Sox for two years as a special assistant, was hired by the Los Angeles Angels as a senior advisor.
On November 20, in advance of the Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox added five players to their 40-man roster: Yoan Aybar, C. J. Chatham, Bobby Dalbec, Kyle Hart, and Marcus Wilson.
On November 27, Brian Johnson was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Pawtucket.
December 2019
On December 2, Sandy León was traded to the Cleveland Indians for minor league pitcher Adenys Bautista, Trevor Kelley was claimed off of waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies, and the team declined to tender offers to Marco Hernández and Josh Osich, making them free agents.
On December 4, Hernández and Osich were re-signed to one-year contracts.
On December 4, former assistant pitching coach Brian Bannister left the Red Sox for a front-office position with the San Francisco Giants.
On December 9, the team announced contract extensions for executives Raquel Ferreira, Eddie Romero, and Zack Scott, under which they each hold the title of Executive Vice President / Assistant General Manager.
On December 10, sportswriter Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, who died while reporting on spring training in February 2019, was named the 2020 recipient of the J. G. Taylor Spink Award by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
On December 12, the team selected shortstop Jonathan Araúz from the Houston Astros in the Rule 5 draft. Additionally, pitcher Rick Porcello was reported to have reached agreement with the New York Mets on a one-year contract, and the Red Sox were reported to have reached one-year agreements with infielder José Peraza, formerly of the Cincinnati Reds, and pitcher Martín Pérez, formerly of the Minnesota Twins—each signing to be officially confirmed.
On December 13, Peraza officially signed with the Red Sox.
On December 16, Porcello officially signed with the Mets.
On December 19, Pérez officially signed with the Red Sox.
On December 20, the Red Sox selected pitcher Chris Mazza off of waivers from the Mets.
January 2020
On January 2, the team signed catcher Kevin Plawecki, while Sam Travis was designated for assignment. Travis cleared waivers, and was sent outright to Triple-A Pawtucket.
On January 7, The Athletic published a report alleging that the 2018 Red Sox broke MLB rules by using a video replay room during regular season games to decipher the signs of opposing catchers, according to three unnamed sources who were with the team that year.
On January 10, it was reported that the team reached agreement with multiple arbitration-eligible players for the 2020 season: Matt Barnes, Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Heath Hembree, and Brandon Workman.
On January 10, the Red Sox acquired pitcher Austin Brice from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor league second baseman Angeudis Santos. In a corresponding move, Marco Hernández was designated for assignment; he was sent outright to Pawtucket on January 16.
On January 13, MLB's findings regarding the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal were announced, including that Boston manager Alex Cora—who was bench coach for the 2017 Astros—"was the only non-player involved in the subterfuge", raising the possibility that Cora may also face discipline from MLB.
On January 14, the Red Sox and Cora mutually agreed to part ways.
On January 15, the team traded Sam Travis to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Jeffrey Springs; to create room on the 40-man roster, Bobby Poyner was designated for assignment.
On January 17, the team acquired pitcher Matt Hall from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league catcher Jhon Nuñez. In a corresponding move, Travis Lakins was designated for assignment.
On January 21, Lakins was traded to the Chicago Cubs for future considerations, and Poyner was assigned outright to Triple-A Pawtucket.
On January 28, the team re-signed Mitch Moreland to a one-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, Denyi Reyes was designated for assignment; he was later sent outright to Pawtucket.
February 2020
On February 3, "Truck Day", the team's equipment left Fenway Park for Florida.
On February 8, the team announced signing Andrew Benintendi to a two-year, $10 million deal.
On February 9, it was reported that the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers reached agreement on a trade to send Mookie Betts, David Price, and $48 million in cash to the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong.
On February 10, the above noted trade was made official.
On February 11, the team named Ron Roenicke interim manager.
On February 14, the team signed free agent Kevin Pillar.
On February 19, the team signed free agent Jonathan Lucroy to a minor league contract.

;Spring training

On February 21, the Red Sox defeated the Northeastern Huskies in an exhibition game at JetBlue Park, 3–0.
Grapefruit League games for the Red Sox began on February 22, with the team facing the Tampa Bay Rays.
On February 22, the team named Jerry Narron bench coach.
On February 23, the team claimed Phillips Valdez off of waivers from the Seattle Mariners; in a corresponding move, the team placed Dustin Pedroia on the 60-day injured list.
March 2020
On March 5, the team signed Collin McHugh to a one-year contract; in a corresponding move, Héctor Velázquez was designated for assignment.
On March 8, Velázquez was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.
On March 12, MLB cancelled remaining spring training games and announced that the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Four days later, the start of the season was moved back to at least mid-May.
On March 19, the team announced that Chris Sale would undergo Tommy John surgery.
On March 27, roster moves were frozen until the start of the season, as part of an agreement reached between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association.
On March 30, the team announced that Sale successfully underwent Tommy John surgery in Los Angeles.
April 2020
On April 13, Steve Pearce announced his retirement.
On April 22, commissioner Rob Manfred issued findings from the investigation about electronic sign-stealing by the 2018 Red Sox. The findings focused on the actions of the team's replay operator, who as a result was suspended for the 2020 season and the team forfeited their second-round selection in the 2020 MLB draft. The team subsequently removed the "interim" tag from Roenicke's title.
On April 29, the team announced that they would be offering refunds, credits, or exchanges for tickets to home games that had been scheduled for April 2 through May 28.
On April 30, the 2020 MLB Little League Classic, which had been scheduled for August 23 between the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was cancelled.
May 2020
On May 29, the team released 22 minor league players. Later the same day, the team announced that they would not lay off or furlough any full-time workers, but those making more than $50,000 would have their pay cut.
June 2020
In the 2020 MLB draft, held on June 10–11, the Red Sox selected infielder Nick Yorke of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, with their first-round pick.
On June 20, team president Sam Kennedy advised that the team would conduct "spring training" activities at Fenway Park, if and when preseason training resumes for 2020. The most recent time the team held spring training in Massachusetts was during World War II, when the team trained at Tufts University in Medford prior to the 1943 season.
On June 23, MLB announced that pre-season training would resume by July 1, in anticipation of a regular season of 60 games, expected to start on July 23–24.
On June 28, the team announced a 47-player pool for the resumption of spring training. The list included 37 players on the 40-man roster plus 10 non-roster invitees. Sale was moved to the 45-day injured list later the same day.
On June 30, it was announced that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season would not be played.
July 2020
On July 2, the team added Jonathan Lucroy to the preseason player pool as a non-roster invitee.
On July 3, the team held its first "summer camp" preseason workout at Fenway Park.
On July 4, the team announced that pitchers Darwinzon Hernández and Josh Taylor tested positive for COVID-19.
On July 6, the MLB schedule for each team to play a 60-game regular season was announced—the Red Sox' season spans from July 24, Opening Day at home against the Baltimore Orioles, to September 27, ending the season with a road game at the Atlanta Braves.
On July 18, manager Ron Roenicke named Nathan Eovaldi the starter for the team's opening game against Baltimore on July 24.
On July 19, the team announced that pitcher Collin McHugh would not play during 2020, noting that McHugh's "elbow was not responding as he had hoped" following a non-surgical procedure during the offseason.
On July 21, the team acquired pitcher Dylan Covey from the Tampa Bay Rays.
On July 23, the team announced its 30-man roster for Opening Day; it consisted of 15 pitchers, 3 catchers, 7 infielders, and 5 outfielders.
Regular season

On July 6, MLB announced the revised 2020 regular-season schedule—"each team will play a regionally based schedule featuring 40 divisional games and 20 Interleague games against the corresponding geographical division." The Red Sox' opponents:

Team	Division	Game vs.	Games at	Total
Atlanta Braves	NL East	3	3	6
Baltimore Orioles	AL East	6	4	10
Miami Marlins	NL East	–	3	3
New York Mets	NL East	2	2	4
New York Yankees	AL East	3	7	10
Philadelphia Phillies	NL East	2	2	4
Tampa Bay Rays	AL East	4	6	10
Toronto Blue Jays	AL East	7	3	10
Washington Nationals	NL East	3	–	3
Total	—	30	30	60

The Blue Jays' home ballpark during 2020 is Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York.

Original schedule

Key dates of the team's original 2020 schedule, prior to impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, were as follows:

March 26: season opener at Toronto Blue Jays
April 2: home opener vs. Chicago White Sox
July 13–16: All-Star break
* July 14: All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
August 23: 2020 MLB Little League Classic vs. Baltimore Orioles in Williamsport, Pennsylvania
September 27: final regular season game, vs. Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park
Opening Day lineup

Order	No.	Player	Pos.
1	16	Andrew Benintendi	LF
2	28	J. D. Martinez	DH
3	11	Rafael Devers	3B
4	2	Xander Bogaerts	SS
5	5	Kevin Pillar	RF
6	7	Christian Vázquez	C
7	23	Michael Chavis	1B
8	19	Jackie Bradley Jr.	CF
9	3	José Peraza	2B
—	17	Nathan Eovaldi	P

Source:

July

July 24–July 26, vs. Baltimore Orioles
Boston's 2020 regular season began on July 24 in a home game against the Baltimore Orioles. The Red Sox took a 4–0 lead after three innings, a 10–0 lead through four innings, and went on to win comfortably, 13–2. Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi got the win, pitching six innings while allowing five hits and one run; he struck out four batters. The second game of the series was a 7–2 win by Baltimore, with Martín Pérez taking the loss in his debut game with the Red Sox. Mitch Moreland hit Boston's first home run of the season. Baltimore won the final game of the series, 7–4, with Boston starter Ryan Weber taking the loss. Christian Vázquez and Kevin Pillar hit home runs for the Red Sox.
Red Sox lost the series 1–2
July 27–July 28, vs. New York Mets
In the opening game of a two-game home series against the Mets, New York built an early 7–1 lead through four innings, and went on to win, 7–4. Josh Osich, pitching as an opener, took the loss in his first start for the Red Sox. Mitch Moreland and Xander Bogaerts hit home runs for Boston. The second game of the series was also a Mets win, 8–3, giving the Red Sox their fourth consecutive loss. Matt Hall took the loss in his first MLB start. Kevin Pillar was 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Red Sox lost the series 0–2
July 29–July 30, at New York Mets
Playing another two-game series against the Mets, this time in New York, Boston won the first game, 6–5. Starter Nathan Eovaldi allowed two runs on eight hits in five innings for a no decision. With a late 6–3 lead, Matt Barnes allowed a run in the eighth, and closer Brandon Workman allowed a run in the ninth. Workman, who earned his first save of the season, escaped more trouble as the Mets sent seven men to the plate in the ninth. Heath Hembree, who struck out the only batter he faced to end the seventh inning, got the win. Christian Vázquez had a home run and three RBIs. The second game of the series was also a Boston win, 4–2. Starter Martín Pérez got the win, and Workman earned his second save. Vázquez again had three RBIs, coming on two home runs.
Red Sox won the series 2–0
July 31, at New York Yankees
In the first game of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox scored first on a Michael Chavis home run, but lost to the Yankees, 5–1. Starter Ryan Weber allowed three runs and issued four walks in innings and took the loss. The Red Sox exited July with a 3–5 record.

August

August 1–August 2, at New York Yankees
New York won the second game of the series, 5–2, largely due to a second-inning grand slam by Gio Urshela off of Boston starter Zack Godley, who took the loss. Kevin Pillar was the only Red Sox batter with two hits, as the team fell to 3–6.

Day	Date	Opponent	Game time
Sunday	August 2	at New York Yankees	7:08 p.m.
Tuesday	August 4	at Tampa Bay Rays	6:40 p.m.
Wednesday	August 5	at Tampa Bay Rays	6:40 p.m.

Season standings

American League East

American League Wild Card

Record against opponents

Game log

Revised schedules for 2020 were released on July 6. MLB scheduled the Red Sox to play a total of 60 games against nine opponents—four in the American League East and five in the National League East—involving travel to Washington, D.C. and five states outside of Massachusetts: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. On July 24, it was announced that Blue Jays would play their 2020 home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York.

Red Sox Win

Red Sox Loss

Game Postponed

Current roster

MLB debuts

Red Sox players who made their MLB debuts during the 2020 regular season:

July 24: Jonathan Araúz
Transactions

Notable transactions of/for players on the 40-man roster during the 2020 regular season:

July 25: The team claimed pitcher Stephen Gonsalves off of waivers from the New York Mets.
July 26: The team claimed pitcher Robert Stock off of waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.
July 29: Catcher Jonathan Lucroy was designated for assignment by the team; pitcher Chris Mazza took his place on the roster.
Amateur draft

Boston's selections in the 2020 MLB draft, held on June 10–11, are listed below. The team did not have a second-round pick, as punishment from MLB's investigation about electronic sign-stealing by the 2018 Red Sox. The draft was limited to five rounds, per agreement reached in March 2020 between MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association. The deadline to sign drafted players was August 1, 2020.

Round	Pick	Player	Position	B/T	Class	School	Signing date
1	17	Nick Yorke	2B	R/R	HS Sr.	Mitty HS	July 7
3	89	Blaze Jordan	3B	R/R	HS Sr.	DeSoto Central HS	July 17
4	118	Jeremy Wu-Yelland	P	L/L	4YR Jr.	Hawaii	July 15
5	148	Shane Drohan	P	L/L	4YR Jr.	Florida State	July 17

Farm system

Minor league managerial assignments were announced by the Red Sox on January 16, 2020. The only change from the prior season was Sandy Madera, named to manage one of the Dominican Summer League teams. In March, MLB Pipeline ranked the Red Sox' farm system 25th, in their evaluation of the minor league organizations of all 30 MLB teams. On June 30, it was announced that the 2020 Minor League Baseball season would not be played, another impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.

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2020 Boston Red Sox season

Offseason

October 2019

November 2019

December 2019

January 2020

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

May 2020

June 2020

July 2020

Regular season