New year, new team: Primer on 2026 Red Sox, upcoming MLB season

Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald on Jan 3, 2026

Published in Baseball

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Happy new year!

With 2025 officially in the rearview mirror, it’s time for a clean slate of Major League Baseball.

Spring training is still six weeks away, but here’s a primer on the 2026 Boston Red Sox and the season ahead.

Key Red Sox and MLB dates

Though not officially announced, pitchers and catchers are typically due to report to Red Sox spring training by the second Wednesday in February, and the first full-squad workout is the following Monday. This year, that’s Feb. 11 and 16.

The first Red Sox spring training game is their annual exhibition with Northeastern University at JetBlue Park on Feb. 20.

The third annual Spring Breakout exhibition games will take place March 19-22. The Red Sox and Orioles will square off at the latter’s Sarasota, Fla. complex on March 20.

Red Sox Opening Day is Thursday, March 26 at the Cincinnati Reds’ Great American Ball Park.

Boston’s home opener is Friday, April 3 against the San Diego Padres.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is set for July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia.

2026 World Baseball Classic

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to take place March 5-17, with four five-team pools in San Juan, Houston, Tokyo and Miami. The quarterfinals will take place in Houston and Miami on March 13 and 14, followed by semifinals and finals in Miami on March 15-17.

Several Red Sox players are participating, including Wilyer Abreu (Venezuela), Jarren Duran (Mexico), Ceddanne Rafaela (Netherlands) and Garrett Whitlock (USA). Aroldis Chapman (Great Britain) may also pitch, and according to WBC reporter Shawn Spradling, the Red Sox have granted Brayan Bello permission to participate (Dominican Republic).

Changes to MLB in 2026

After years of testing in the independent and minor leagues and during last year’s spring training and at the All-Star Game, the automated ball-strike challenge system (ABS) is finally making its long-awaited and highly-anticipated MLB debut this year.

Teams begin each game with two challenges apiece, to be used by the batter, pitcher or catcher. Said parties must challenge immediately after the umpire’s call, and must signal by tapping their cap or batting helmet. The call will then be reviewed, and simultaneously shown on the broadcast and ballpark video boards.

If the umpire’s call is upheld by ABS, the team loses its challenge. Successful challenges are retained.

If a team is out of challenges and their game goes into extra innings, they receive an additional challenge at the beginning of the 10th inning. Teams are given one challenge each extra inning, providing they enter it without any remaining.

In order to customize the strike zone to each batter’s unique height, all position players will be measured, “standing straight up without cleats” according to MLB.com, at spring training.

Red Sox free agents

RHP Sonny Gray ($30 million mutual option)

LHP Aroldis Chapman ($13 million vesting option)

LHP Patrick Sandoval

RHP Garrett Whitlock ($8.3 million club option)

Road block ahead

The current collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the players’ association expires Dec. 1, 2026.

When the last one expired on Dec. 1, 2021, the league locked out the players for 99 days, shutting down all offseason trades and free agency as the two sides battled through fraught negotiations.

The two sides held a preliminary meeting in the fall of ‘25 and will likely ramp up during spring training. The expectation, however, is that MLB is headed for another work stoppage, especially if the league decides to make another attempt at implementing a salary cap, a non-starter with the vehemently-opposed players.

Further complicating the looming expiration date is the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s investigation into MLBPA finances and the union’s executive director Tony Clark. It could have a significant impact on the CBA negotiations.

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