Injuries ravaged the Boston Red Sox throughout the 2026 season, as they lost their two most important players, Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony, to prolonged stays on the injured list. While both Anthony and Crochet returned in some capacity in 2026, Boston also had a laundry list of players who finished the year injured, including Kutter Crawford and Triston Casas, among others. 

Both Crawford and Casas have been on the 60-day injured list all season and are therefore not on the 40-man roster. However, the injured list doesn't exist in the offseason, so everyone on the 60-day injured list returns to the 40-man roster. 

Here’s what you need to know about the state of the Red Sox 40-man roster heading into the offseason: 

After falling to the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round, the Red Sox ended the season with a full 40-man roster. They currently have seven players (Casas, Crawford, Zack Kelly, Johan Oviedo, Eduardo Rivera, Justin Slaten, and Eli White) on the 60-day injured list. 

The 60-day injured list expires shortly after the World Series ends, meaning Boston will have 47 players on its 40-man roster then. Only two pending free agents are likely to hit the open market: starter Patrick Sandoval and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa, trimming that number to 45. 

The Red Sox also have two options to consider: a $30-million mutual option on starter Sonny Gray and an $8.25-million club option on reliever Garrett Whitlock. Since you’d have to go back to 2014 to find the last time both sides accepted a mutual option, it’s safe to assume Gray will hit the free-agent market after announcing his intention to pitch again in 2027. 

Whitlock has been one of the league’s most reliable relievers over the last two seasons, finishing 2026 with a 1.72 ERA, the sixth-lowest among 143 qualified relievers. Beyond the impressive ERA, Whitlock ranked 12th among all relievers in win probability added, with 2.73. While Breslow said the team hadn't made a decision on Whitlock’s option at the end-of-season press conference, it seems like a safe bet they'll pick it up. 

With Gray likely out of the fold for now and Whitlock likely staying with the team, the 40-man roster will sit at 44 when the 60-day injured list expires. Meaning that Breslow will have to designate four players for assignment shortly after the World Series ends. 

That’s all before making some much-needed additions to the lineup, either re-signing or replacing Gray in the rotation, and protecting players from the Rule 5 draft. However, the latter remains up in the air because of the ongoing labor situation, making it less pressing for now. 

In all likelihood, Boston will have to trim 7-10 players from its 40-man roster in the coming months, with the first decisions being due in the coming weeks. 

With the Red Sox officially in offseason mode, Zach Coe and David Azer are back on the 'Entering Kenmore' Podcast discussing how close Boston is to winning a World Series, offseason needs, and whether or not the 2026 season was successful. Check it out wherever you get your podcasts, or in the YouTube player below: