2022 Boston Red Sox season

October 2021

• On October 25, the team announced the dismissal of first base coach Tom Goodwin.[15]
• On October 30, former Red Sox second baseman and longtime color commentator Jerry Remy died at age 68.[16]

November 2021

• On November 1, it was reported that hitting coach Tim Hyers declined the team's offer for 2022 and would not continue in his role.[17]
• On November 3, five players elected to become free agents: Adam Ottavino, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodríguez, Danny Santana, and Travis Shaw.[18]
• On November 4, Kyle Schwarber declined his side of a mutual option for 2022 and became a free agent.[19]
• On November 5, the team claimed outfielder Tim Locastro off of waivers from the New York Yankees.[20]
• On November 7, the team declined to exercise their 2022 options on Martín Pérez and Garrett Richards, making them free agents.[21] The same day, the team did exercise its option on Christian Vázquez, and J. D. Martinez chose not to exercise his opt-out clause; both remain under contract with the team for the 2022 season.[21] The team also issued a qualifying offer ($18.4 million for one year) to Eduardo Rodríguez, starting a 10-day window within which he could accept that offer, reach other contract terms with the team, or remain a free agent.[21]
• On November 14, it was reported that Rodríguez declined the qualifying offer.[22] He subsequently signed with the Detroit Tigers.[23]
• On November 19, in advance of the Rule 5 draft, the Red Sox added four players their 40-man roster: infielder Jeter Downs and pitchers Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, and Josh Winckowski.[24]
• On November 22, the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2022 was announced.[25] Multiple players who were with the Red Sox during their MLB careers were included: Curt Schilling (10th ballot, with Red Sox 2004–2007), Roger Clemens (10th, 1984–1996), Billy Wagner (7th, 2009), Manny Ramirez (6th, 2001–2008), Carl Crawford (1st, 2011–2012), David Ortiz (1st, 2003–2016), Jonathan Papelbon (1st, 2005–2011), Jake Peavy (1st, 2013–2014), and A. J. Pierzynski (1st, 2014).
• On November 27, the team signed pitcher Michael Wacha to a one-year contract, reportedly worth $7 million.[26]
• On November 30, the team non-tendered Locastro, making him a free agent,[27] and agreed to terms with pitcher Ryan Brasier on a one-year contract, reportedly worth $1.4 million.[28]

December 2021

• On December 1, the team:
  • Signed free agent pitchers Rich Hill and James Paxton.[29]
  • Traded Hunter Renfroe to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for Jackie Bradley Jr. and minor-league infielders David Hamilton and Alex Binelas.[30]
  • Agreed to terms with backup catcher Kevin Plawecki on a one-year contract for 2022, reportedly worth $2.25 million.[31]
• On December 2, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred announced a lockout of players, following expiration of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).[32]

• On December 13, the team named Chad Tracy manager of the Worcester Red Sox.[33]
• On December 20, the team named its coaching staff for the 2022 season.[34] Existing coaches Ramón Vázquez and Peter Fatse were named the new first base coach and hitting coach, respectively. Luis Ortiz and Ben Rosenthal were added to the staff as assistant hitting coaches. Reed Gragnani was added to the staff as assistant hitting coordinator, and Andy Fox was added to the staff as major league field coordinator. Michael Brenly, who had been a bullpen catcher, was promoted to staff assistant.

January 2022

• On January 25, it was announced that David Ortiz, who played for the Red Sox from 2003 to 2016, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, via 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting.[35]

February 2022

• On February 18, MLB announced that the start of spring training would be delayed until at least March 5, due to the ongoing lockout.[36]

March 2022

• On March 1, with the lockout still unresolved, Commissioner Manfred announced that the regular season would not start on March 31 as originally planned; with the cancelation of the first two series of the season, teams were expected to play no more than 156 games.[37]
• On March 10, MLB and the MLBPA reached tentative agreement on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, which was officially ratified later that day.[38] A full 162-game season was salvaged, with a delay of Opening Day to April 7, with originally cancelled games to be made up during the season.[39]
• On March 6, the team signed pitchers Silvino Bracho and Darin Gillies to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training.[40]
• On March 11, the team signed pitcher Thomas Pannone to a minor-league contract.[40]
• On March 15, the team signed pitcher Matt Strahm to a one-year contract.[40] The team also placed Paxton on the 60-day injured list, as he continued his recovery from Tommy John surgery.[40]
• On March 16, the team signed pitcher Jake Diekman to a two-year contract.[40] The team also signed catcher Deivy Grullón to a minor-league contract.[40]
• On March 19, the team re-signed relief pitcher Hansel Robles to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training.[41][40]
• On March 22, the team came to agreement with five players on one-year contracts, thus avoiding arbitration: Christian Arroyo, Rafael Devers, Nick Pivetta, Josh Taylor, and Alex Verdugo.[42] The team also claimed Kyle Tyler off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels; Hudson Potts was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.[43]
• On March 23, the team announced the signing of infielder Trevor Story to a six-year contract.[44] Jeisson Rosario was designated for assignment in a corresponding move;[40] he was later claimed off of waivers by the New York Yankees.[45]
• On March 24, the team claimed pitcher Ralph Garza Jr. off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.[40] Kyle Tyler was designated for assignment in a corresponding move; he was later claimed off of waivers by the San Diego Padres.[40]
• On March 30, the team signed pitcher Dan Altavilla, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2021.[46][40]

April 2022

• On April 4, the team placed pitcher Chris Sale on the 60-day injured list with a right rib stress fracture.[47] In a corresponding move, the team added pitcher Tyler Danish to the 40-man roster.[47]
• On April 7, the team designated Ralph Garza Jr. for assignment; he was claimed off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Rays.[47] The team also selected the contracts of Hansel Robles and Travis Shaw from the Worcester Red Sox the bring the roster size to 28 players,[47] as allowed by MLB to begin the 2022 season.

April

April 8–April 10, at New York Yankees

Rain caused Boston's first game to be postponed from April 7 to April 8. Nathan Eovaldi started the opener, as he had done the prior two seasons, lasting five innings while allowing three runs on five hits and striking out seven batters. The Red Sox scored three runs in the top of the first inning, and the Yankees responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning, and later tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth. With the score tied at 4–4 after nine innings, the teams each scored a single run in the 10th inning, and New York won the game with a run in the bottom of the 11th inning. Kutter Crawford took the loss; Rafael Devers homered. New York won the second game of the series, 4–2. Boston starter Nick Pivetta took the loss after allowing four runs on four hits in 5+2⁄3 innings; Alex Verdugo homered. The Red Sox won the third and final game of the series, 4–3, although they were out-hit by the Yankees, 11–5. Starter Tanner Houck went 3+1⁄3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits. Crawford, the second of five relievers, got the win; Jake Diekman pitched the ninth inning and got the save. Bobby Dalbec homered.

Red Sox lost the series 1–2 (11–13 runs)

April 11–April 13, at Detroit Tigers

The Red Sox lost the opener of a three-game series in Detroit, 3–1. Tied 1–1 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, reliever Ryan Brasier allowed a two-run home run to Javier Báez. Austin Davis, who had allowed a single to the prior batter, took the loss. Starter Michael Wacha allowed one run on two hits in 4+1⁄3 innings in his Red Sox debut. Boston's lone run came on a J. D. Martinez homer in the fifth inning. Boston won the second game of the series, 5–3. Starter Rich Hill allowed all three Tiger runs in 4+1⁄3 innings on five hits. Rafael Devers went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and scored two runs. Reliever Garrett Whitlock pitched the sixth through ninth innings without allowing a hit and earned the win. Boston won the final game of the series, 9–7. After a six-run fourth inning, the Red Sox had a 6–1 lead, then led 9–2 after the top of the seventh before Detroit scored five late runs. Starter Nathan Eovaldi went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and earned the win. Hansel Robles recorded the final four outs to earn the save. Kiké Hernández homered.

Red Sox won the series 2–1 (15–13 runs)

April 15–April 18, vs. Minnesota Twins

Boston's home opener, the first contest of a four-game series against Minnesota, was held on Jackie Robinson Day. The Twins jumped out to an early 4–1 lead after two innings, extended to 6–1 after the fifth, en route to an 8–4 win over the Red Sox. Starter Nick Pivetta allowed four runs on five hits in two innings, taking the loss. Alex Verdugo and Rafael Devers homered. The Red Sox recorded their first shutout win of the season, 4–0, in the series' second game. Starter Tanner Houck went 5+2⁄3 innings while allowing just two hits and earned the win. Verdugo and Xander Bogaerts both hit two-run homers. Boston won the third game of the series, 8–1, with six runs coming in the eighth inning. Starter Michael Wacha held the Twins to a single hit in five innings, but left with the game scoreless and received a no decision. Reliever Matt Strahm got the win. Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. The final game of the series was held the same day as the 2022 Boston Marathon. Minnesota split the series with an 8–3 win, giving Boston starter Rich Hill the loss. Bogaerts had three hits and Christian Vázquez homered.

Red Sox split the series 2–2 (19–17 runs)

April 19–April 21, vs. Toronto Blue Jays

In the opener of a three-game home series, the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays, 2–1, despite being outhit, 8–3. Starter Nathan Eovaldi went 4+2⁄3 innings and had a no decision. Hansel Robles got the win in relief, and Garrett Whitlock earned a save. Prior to the second game of the series, the team honored former player and longtime broadcaster Jerry Remy, who died in October 2021.[56] Boston took an early 1–0 lead in the game, but Toronto scored five runs in the second inning, en route to a 6–1 win. Starter Nick Pivetta took the loss, falling to 0–3 on the season. In the third game of the series, the Red Sox rallied for two runs in the ninth inning, but fell to the Blue Jays, 3–2. Starter Tanner Houck took the loss. Xander Bogaerts had three hits and an RBI.

Red Sox lost the series 1–2 (5–10 runs)

April 22–April 24, at Tampa Bay Rays

Boston won the opener of a three-game series in Tampa Bay, 4–3. Matt Barnes earned his first save of the season by recording the final out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning. Starter Michael Wacha held the Rays to two runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-4 and scored twice; Rafael Devers hit his third home run of the season. Boston was unable to get a hit in the first nine innings of the series' second game, but neither team was able to score, sending it to extra innings. Boston scored twice in the top of the tenth inning, with Bobby Dalbec driving in one run with a triple. In the bottom of the tenth, Taylor Walls of the Rays reached base on a two-out error by Trevor Story, with Story's throw eluding first baseman Dalbec. Kevin Kiermaier then hit a walk-off home run off of Hansel Robles to give Tampa Bay a 3–2 win. In the final game of the series, the Red Sox took an early 2–0 lead, but the Rays scored five unanswered runs for a 5–2 win. Starter Rich Hill held the Rays scoreless through four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, reliever Phillips Valdéz loaded the bases via two hit batsmen and a walk; all three runners subsequently scored, and Valdéz took the loss.

Red Sox lost the series 1–2 (8–11 runs)

April 25–April 28, at Toronto Blue Jays

Prior to the series in Toronto, the team placed pitchers Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck on the COVID restricted list, in consideration of Canadian vaccination requirements.[57] Their roster spots were filled by Tyler Danish and John Schreiber. Boston lost the first game of the four-game series, 6–2. Trailing 2–0 entering the eighth inning, the Red Sox tied the game, 2–2. In the bottom of the inning, the Blue Jay put two runners on base off of Matt Strahm; fellow reliever Tyler Danish allowed another baserunner, then surrendered a grand slam to Bo Bichette. In the second game of the series, Boston trailed entering the eighth inning, 2–1, then scored four runs to take a 5–2 lead. With that same score in the bottom of the ninth, Toronto scored three runs off of Jake Diekman via two doubles and a home run, sending the game into extra innings. After the Red Sox were unable to score in the top of the tenth, the Blue Jays pushed across a run in the bottom of the inning for a 6–5 win. Starter Nick Pivetta went 4+2⁄3 innings and had a no decision; Matt Barnes took the loss. The Red Sox broke their four-game losing streak with a 7–1 win in the third game of the series. Manager Alex Cora returned to the team after missing the prior six games due to COVID.[58] Starter Michael Wacha limited Toronto to one run on four hits in six innings and earned the win. Xander Bogaerts was 4-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Toronto won the final game of the series, 1–0. The only run of the game came in the bottom of the second inning, following a fielding error by Christian Arroyo. Offensively, the Red Sox were limited to four hits. Starter Garrett Whitlock took the loss.

Red Sox lost the series 1–3 (14–14 runs)

April 29–April 30, at Baltimore Orioles

Boston opened a three-game series in Baltimore with a 3–1 win. Starter Rich Hill allowed no runs on one hit in four innings. He was relieved by Tanner Houck, who allowed no runs on two hits in three innings and earned the win. Matt Strahm recorded a save and Christian Arroyo homered. The Orioles won the second game of the series, 2–1, in 10 innings. Boston scored in the top of the first inning, and maintained a 1–0 lead until Baltimore tied the game in the bottom of the eighth. In extra innings, the Red Sox were unable to score in the top of the 10th, and the Orioles scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning aided by a throwing error by reliever Hirokazu Sawamura, who took the loss. Starter Nathan Eovaldi held the Orioles to no runs on three hits in seven innings while striking out eight batters. The Red Sox ended April with a record of 9–13,[59] in fourth place in the American League East, 6+1⁄2 games behind the division-leading Yankees.