Utility standout says progress is coming, but six-week checkpoint will determine next steps.
The Boston Red Sox have spent much of camp talking about roster battles, positional flexibility, and the usual spring optimism.
But one of the more quietly important storylines continues to sit on the injury front, where Romy Gonzalez is still waiting - and watching - as he works his way back from a shoulder issue.
If you’ve followed this team closely over the past year, you know why this matters.
Gonzalez isn’t just a depth piece anymore.
After carving out a real role with his versatility and knack for punishing left-handed pitching, he entered camp projected to be one of the connective pieces on a roster that has leaned heavily into flexibility.
Right now, though, the timeline is still a bit hazy.
Manager Alex Cora said earlier this week that Gonzalez wasn’t ready for baseball activities beyond playing catch, and the utility man confirmed that he’s still in a bit of a holding pattern as he approaches an important checkpoint in his recovery.
According to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe, Gonzalez is now four weeks removed from receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left shoulder - the stage where improvement is typically expected - but he’ll wait a little longer before getting real clarity.
Sep 19, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Romy Gonzalez (23) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. (Kim Klement Neitzel/Imagn Images)“‘It depends on that six-week check[point],” said Gonzalez, via Healey. “Good or bad, you just want to figure it out. I’m strong and the range of motion is getting there. It’s just, there’s still some lingering discomfort. We’re making progress.”
Tests showed “a little tear” in his shoulder, according to Gonzalez, who added that “everyone has a tear,” and tear size doesn’t always align with severity of symptoms.
That quote pretty much sums up the current vibe:
Cautious optimism mixed with the understanding that shoulders, especially for a player whose value comes from playing all over the diamond, don’t always move on a clean timeline.
From a baseball standpoint, the potential impact of his absence is real.
Gonzalez was coming off the best season of his career in 2025, hitting .305 with emerging pop and continuing to establish himself as one of the more reliable platoon bats on the roster. His ability to move between the infield and outfield, lengthen the lineup against lefties, and provide energy off the bench made him more than just a complementary piece - he became someone Cora clearly trusted.
That’s why his status has lingered as one of the more talked-about undercurrents of camp.
The Red Sox have depth, but replacing Gonzalez’s specific skill set isn’t as simple as plugging in another name.
For now, the focus is on that upcoming six-week evaluation.
Whether he’s ready for Opening Day or needs a little more time, the expectation inside the clubhouse hasn’t really changed:
When González is right, he’s going to play a meaningful role on this team.
Sep 14, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Romy Gonzalez (23) throws to first base for an out against the New York Yankees during the ninth inning at Fenway Park. (Brian Fluharty/Imagn Images)JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.