Red Sox Should Like Marcelo Mayer Swing, Lucas Giolito Rehab Start

The Boston Red Sox have plenty of talent on the current roster and will have more help on the way in different developments.

Boston’s Triple-A affiliate hit the road for a series against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp this week. Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer started the trip with a bang in Brayan Bello’s rehab start.

Wednesday marked more progress with another Mayer home run, this time to the opposite field, while Lucas Giolito made his first rehab appearance of the year. Giolito tossed 2 1/3 innings without surrendering a run on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts. The Red Sox have Richard Fitts, Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell up in the majors while Giolito, Bello and Kutter Crawford work back from injury.

Mayer continues to force an issue at the plate. His spot at the MLB level remains to be seen. Trevor Story did improve the offensive output at shortstop Wednesday for the Red Sox with a pair of hits, including his first home run of the season.

The Red Sox should have several positive transactions in the first two months of the season with a focus on Worcester. From eventual promotions for Anthony and Mayer to the return of capable starting pitching, Boston has reinforcements on the way.