FORT MYERS, Fla. — Enmanuel Valdez’s situation has changed as a result of second baseman Vaughn Grissom’s injury.
Valdez went from fighting for a spot as a bench player on the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster to likely being the starting second baseman when Boston opens in Seattle on March 28.
With Grissom (left groin strain) expected to begin the season on the IL, manager Alex Cora pointed to Valdez as the top option to replace him. But Cora hasn’t told Valdez he’s the frontrunner to be the Opening Day second baseman.
“He hasn’t told me anything yet,” Valdez said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez on Thursday at JetBlue Park. “But if that’s the case, my goal is to keep improving. Keep improving with my defense and keep talking to Trevor Story who has been a great help for me and who has been a great mentor. I think that communication with him is going to help me to become a better defender.”
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The 25-year-old has four extra-base hits (two homers, one double, one triple) in 11 Grapefruit League games so far. Valdez, who made his major league debut last April 19, hit well after the Red Sox recalled him in September. He went 15-for-45 (.333) with a .375 on-base percentage, .556 slugging percentage, .931 OPS, two homers, four doubles, eight runs, eight RBIs, three walks and 10 strikeouts in 16 games for Boston during the final month.
Valdez looks at his situation the same way as he did before Grissom’s injury. Pablo Reyes, who is out of minor league options, also is in the mix.
“I’m going to keep competing, getting ready,” Valdez said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the Opening Day roster or not, I just want to be ready. Whenever that opportunity comes up, I’m ready to take advantage of it.”
Before Grissom’s injury, Valdez said in February, “I’m ready to help this team win. Even if it’s from the bench, I hope to make the team out of camp. But if not, I’ll be in Triple A getting ready to come up and take that opportunity whenever it comes. But yeah, I’ll be able to help at any position that they need me.”
There are questions about Valdez’s defense. But there also are questions about Grissom’s glove as he’s also considered a bat-first second baseman.
Valdez worked hard in the offseason to improve his first step and lateral movement. He even spent time working out at the Red Sox’s Dominican Academy.
“I’m eliminating bad habits that I have on my defense,” Valdez said. “My main goal is to keep improving every day and try to take advantage of this opportunity.”
