Marcelo Mayer’s rookie season is officially over.
The 22-year-old infielder will miss the rest of the 2025 campaign due to a wrist injury that has held him out since July 23.
Mayer and Boston manager Alex Cora spoke Sunday about the diagnosis, which came after he got an injection to try to come back. Ultimately, the right wrist has a tear that hadn’t improved with the injection and season-ending surgery was the only option.
“As an athlete and somebody that loves this game so much, all I want to do is play and be out there every single day, especially when you’re in the big leagues and the playoffs are so important,” Mayer said. “The way that my wrist is right now, there’s just no way to come back and play. It made the decision pretty easy to have the surgery.”
Mayer was called up to the big leagues in late May, four years after being drafted fourth overall in 2021.
Despite playing shortstop in the minors, the Red Sox used Mayer mostly at third base while Alex Bregman was injured. When the All-Star returned, Mayer moved over to second base with Trevor Story remaining at shortstop. In 44 games as a rookie, Mayer hit .228 with four home runs, 10 RBIs and eight doubles.
If everything stays on track with his recovery, the Red Sox expect Mayer to be healthy in time for spring training.
“It’s a three-month recovery, Cora explained. “He should be fine if everything goes well for spring training. He’s a big part of the future of this organization. Just get him right, get him ready and see what happens in the future.”
Injuries have been a concern for Mayer at all levels since being drafted. He’s yet to play 100 games in a season since joining the Red Sox system due to various injuries, including wrist and back ailments.
Story, 32, and Bregman, 31, can both opt out of their contracts and become free agents this offseason, which could clear a path for regular playing time in 2026. Second base also remains an option with no long-term starter set in stone.
Marcelo Mayer reflects on hitting his first home runs at Fenway Park.
