Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora shared insights into the development work underway with infielder Andruw Monasterio as the team prepares for the 2026 MLB season.
Cora described Monasterio as a “good athlete” but revealed the club is focused on specific tweaks. The manager said the Red Sox are working with Monasterio to pull the ball more in the air, a change also being applied to Caleb Durbin to better exploit Fenway Park’s dimensions. Cora additionally noted Monasterio’s proven success against left-handed pitching.
Alex Cora said Andruw Monasterio is a “good athlete,” but they are working with him to pull the ball more in the air. They are also doing the same with Caleb Durbin to take advantage of Fenway Park. Cora also mentioned Monasterio’s success against lefties.
— Marcos Grunfeld 🇮🇱 (@TheBeatwriter) March 19, 2026
These adjustments aim to unlock more extra-base power from the right-handed hitter while leveraging the Green Monster. Monasterio’s athleticism and defensive range already fit the Red Sox infield needs, but the offensive refinements could elevate his overall impact as Boston pushes for American League contention in ’26.
Monasterio has established himself as a reliable utility infielder since his MLB debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. The Venezuelan native has shown strong defensive versatility, appearing at multiple infield spots. His 2025 season marked a personal best, as he slashed .270/.319/.437 with four home runs and 16 RBI across 68 games and 126 at-bats. He added 19 runs scored and nine doubles while posting a .756 OPS.
In February 2026, the Red Sox acquired Monasterio in a trade that also brought Durbin to Boston.
Over his young career spanning 219 games, Monasterio owns a .250 batting average, eight home runs, and 59 RBI. He now looks forward to contributing in a utility capacity for the Red Sox in the upcoming campaign.
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