Red Sox right fielder has yet to appear in a spring game or even begin full baseball activities due to a bout with a gastrointestinal virus. Exact details on the illne s are a bit murky. that Abreu looked noticeably thinner in camp. Abreu acknowledged to Smith that the virus has indeed caused him to lose a little bit of weight but suggested he thinks that could actually prove beneficial, as he feels more in form than he was last year. While Ted Williams Jersey Abreu has taken an optimistic tone about his chances of being ready for Opening Day, The Athletics Jen McCaffrey cast some doubt on that po sibility this morning, that Abreu has only been tracking pitches thus far and yet to even swing a bat. Manager suggested that Abreu is a ways behind schedule. Theres no definitive declaration that Abreu wont be in the lineup versus the Rangers on March 27, but that first game is only 20 days out. Abreu, 25, came to the Red Sox in the 2022 deadline deal that sent catcher to Houston. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and broke out with a terrific rookie showing in 2024, his first full season in the majors. Last year saw Abreu produce a solid .253/.322/.459 batting line with 15 homers, 33 doubles, a pair of triples and an 8-for-11 performance in stolen bases over the life of 132 games/447 plate appearances. He floundered in 67 plate appearances versus lefties but thrived against right-handed pitching and, above all else, proved himself one of the best defensive players in baseball regardle s of position. By measure of Statcast, Abreu was nine runs better than average in right field. Sports Info Solutions Defensive Runs Saved metric pegged him at a ma sive +17. Both outstanding marks came in le s than a full seasons worth of innings at the position (921). No right fielder in MLB provided more total value, per Statcast or DRS. ( , and were better on a rate basis but in smaller samples of innings.) Unsurprisingly, Abreu won the first of what will likely be multiple Gold Glove Awards in his career. He also finished sixth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and firmly entrenched himself in Bostons outfield moving forward. Its a crowded mix with everyone healthy, though if Abreus not ready for the season opener, that could lend some short-term clarity to whats right now something of a logjam. With a normal spring for Abreu, the expectation wouldve been for him to slot into right field, with 2024 breakout MVP candidate in left and fellow defensive standout in center. The Red Sox, of course, have two of the most electric and also near-MLB-ready prospects in the sport: and . Many outlets regard the latter as the top position-playing prospect in the game. Campbell has played more second base than outfield and is also in the mix at that position, though Bostons signing of could push Campbell into more of an outfield role depending where he ultimately lines up on the diamond. Even if Abreu isnt ready for Opening Day, its not nece sarily a lock that Campbell or Anthony would get the call in the outfield. For starters, neither is on the 40-man roster yet. Carrying either would require a corresponding 40-man move. More importantly, if Abreu is facing a short-term absence, the Sox may not want to bring up such a touted prospect for what amounts to a small handful of games. The 20-year-old Anthony only has 35 Triple-A games under his belt, after all, while the 22-year-old Campbell has just 19. Utilityman and designated hitter could certainly step into the outfield to help fill any short-term absences. Refsnyder would likely see plenty of outfield work as a platoon partner for Abreu anyhow. Steven Wright Jersey