Not much of Boston Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow's plan has worked out, as the Red Sox have been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball in 2026. They'll enter Tuesday night's series opener against the Atlanta Braves at 22-30 and in last place in the American League East. But at least one key piece of Breslow's offseason puzzle has been a smashing success, as veteran first baseman Willson Contreras has joined some elite company in his first 50 games in a Red Sox uniform. 

As noted by JP Long on Twitter/X, Contreras became the seventh player in franchise history to hit more than 10 home runs and have an on-base percentage of .375 or higher in their first 50 games in Boston, joining Alex Bregman, JD Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Carl Everett, Walt Dropo, and Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx. 

Not only has Contreras taken on a leadership role in a clubhouse that desperately needed one, he has been the lone constant in a struggling Red Sox lineup, leading the team in nearly every offensive category, including home runs (11), on-base percentage (.376), slugging percentage (.522), weighted runs created+ (148), and WAR (1.8).

"He's our guy, that guy's our presence in the middle of the order that can do instant damage," interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters of Contreras after the Red Sox come from behind win in Atlanta on May 16. 

Along with his incredible play at the plate, the 34-year-old Contreras has also provided the Red Sox with something they have not had since Mitch Moreland's final season in Boston, a gold glove-caliber first baseman. Contreras ranks third among all qualified first basemen in both defensive runs saved (3) and outs above average (3).  

While there is plenty of warranted criticism for the way that Breslow went about building the Boston lineup, the addition of Contreras has been a massive victory. 

According to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet threw one inning of live batting practice on Tuesday afternoon, marking the first time the 26-year-old has faced batters since landing on the injured list on April 29. 

After five no-hit innings in his second start in Double-A Portland, Red Sox No. 2 prospect Anthony Eyanson was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week on Monday night. 

Monday was a big day for promotions within the Red Sox farm system. According to multiple reports, the team promoted their No. 12 and No. 31 prospects, outfielder Enddy Azocar and catcher Luke Heyman, to High-A Greenville. While 18-year-old shortstop Louis Andujar was promoted to Single-A Salem after just 15 games in the Florida Coast League. 

The Red Sox will look to bounce back from the three-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins when they open up a three-game set against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. Ranger Suarez (2-2, 2.40 ERA) will get the start for Boston opposite Spencer Strider (2-0, 3.00 ERA) for Atlanta. First pitch from Fenway set for 6:45 p.m. ET.

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