Red Sox Reportedly Shut Down Top Prospect for Rest of Season After Unfortunate Injury
The Boston Red Sox reportedly got some unfortunate news Wednesday afternoon.
Boston reportedly will shut down top prospect Marcelo Mayer for the rest of the 2023 season as he continues to rehabilitate an injured left shoulder, according to Red Sox Director of Player Development Brian Abraham and transcribed by MLB.com's Ian Browne
"Update from Sox director of player (development) Brian Abraham on Marcelo Mayer," Browne said. "Marcelo will not play again this year in Portland. He will focus on his rehab in Fort Myers - strengthening of his shoulder, so he can have a full, normal offseason. We are very pleased with the progress he has made so far."
Mayer was drafted in the first round of the 2021 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft and quickly has developed into one of the top prospects in all of baseball. The young shortstop currently is ranked as Boston's top prospect and is the 11th-best prospect in baseball right now overall.
The 20-year-old began the 2023 season with the High-A Greenville Drive and impressed slashing .290/.366/.524 to go along with seven home runs and 34 RBIs in 35 games played before being promoted to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. In Portland Mayer somewhat struggled in 43 games with a .189 batting average, but slugged six home runs and drove in 20 runs across 43 games while dealing with left shoulder inflammation.
Mayer's injury certainly is unfortunate but the fact that he will not have time to fully heal without risk of further injury should set him up nicely for the 2024 campaign. The young shortstop is widely considered as a future face of the Red Sox and even could debut with the big league club next season, so it certainly makes sense to use caution.
Hopefully, he can get back on track quickly and we will be able to see him fully ready to go when spring training rolls around.
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