Alex Cora Details Kristian Campbell’s Evolving Role With Red Sox

There was a notable change in the Red Sox’s lineup Friday, but that won’t affect Kristian Campbell too drastically.

Campbell moved down to eighth in the order in Game 1 of Boston’s doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. The Red Sox rookie had been batting cleanup or fifth, but he didn’t find his stride this month after winning American League Rookie of the Month. Despite the change in the batting order, Alex Cora’s side remains committed to Campbell’s work at first base, per The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

“Just giving him some breathing room,” Cora told reporters of the lineup change, per MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “We’re working hard with him on a few things and I think timing is a big part of it. There’s a lot of moving parts right now compared to early in the season. So, keep working and hopefully that helps him.

“In a perfect work, that helps him hitting fourth. But we’ve got to be smart about it. Hopefully, downshifted and that helps him.”

Cora stressed patience with Campbell and noted that his slump is part of him learning how to be a big leaguer. There isn’t a clear timeline for when the 22-year-old will transition to first base. However, his ability to do so could be instrumental in adding a boost to the lineup. Campbell regaining his groove also would be beneficial to that, too.