Overview
- Durbin has been working at third base with Mayer at second, with the two set to swap assignments throughout camp, per MLB.com reporting cited by Heavy.
- Durbin and Mayer are viewed as the frontrunners, with Kristian Campbell, Romy Gonzalez and Isiah Kiner-Falefa also under evaluation, though Gonzalez is limited by a shoulder issue.
- FanGraphs’ preseason projection slots Durbin at second and Mayer at third, while other reporting points to a likely Opening Day look of Mayer at second and Durbin at third.
- Recent defensive metrics cited by Heavy show Mayer at plus-1 Outs Above Average at second base in 2025 versus Durbin at minus-1, with Durbin owning a slightly stronger average throw velocity.
- Both Durbin and Mayer will remain in camp at JetBlue Park during the World Baseball Classic window as Boston opens spring games Saturday against the Twins and plays the Yankees on ESPN on March 4.