Red Sox Reporter Addresses 'Strange' Carlos Narvaez Benching Vs. Astros
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Red Sox Reporter Addresses 'Strange' Carlos Narvaez Benching Vs. Astros originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After getting Tuesday off, Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez was initially supposed to start Wednesday's series finale against the Houston Astros.
Narvaez was surprisingly scratched from the lineup before the game, however, and was replaced by Connor Wong. He did not play in the Red Sox's 6-4 loss.
As of Friday morning, neither Alex Cora nor Narvaez has explained the reason for the unusual benching.
“Let’s keep it between me and Carlos," Cora said. "And he understands. This is something that happens on every club. It just happens to be early in the season and I think it’s the right thing to do."
Narvaez also declined to elaborate.
"Like AC said this morning, I prefer to keep it between us. I don't have much to say right now. ... I respect the decision. ... It's nothing wrong. Just gotta keep going," said the 27-year-old backstop.
On Thursday's episode of "Foul Territory," team beat writer Chris Cotillo shared his thoughts on the incident, which seemed out of character for Narvaez.
Considering his reputation, it feels a little bit strange that Carlos Narváez was made an example of by getting benched, says @ChrisCotillo.
"I think it behooves the team to just say what happened." pic.twitter.com/pgT4XvS1XH— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 2, 2026
"He is one of the most well-liked guys they have in there... Work ethic not an issue at all as a rookie," Cotillo said. "To me, it was a little bit strange that he was the guy that got pulled out of the lineup and made an example of. Have to wonder if he was late or if he missed a meeting or anything like that."
Whatever the reason, Cotillo thinks Boston should just come clean and explain what happened rather than keeping it private and fueling speculation.
"I do think it behooves the team...to just say it," Cotillo continued. "It would kind of put some theories to bed. To me, the earliness of it...is kind of the striking part. You don't see managers do this super often... I think that might speak to Alex Cora trying to get to this group a little bit... There have been lapses."
The Red Sox aren't playing good baseball right now, and perhaps Cora was trying to send a message to his team that they need to lock in and get serious. If so, it backfired, as Boston still lost without Narvaez on Wednesday.
Narvaez is back in the lineup for Friday's home opener against the San Diego Padres, so time will tell how he responds on the field.
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