Three Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Crack 2025 Red Sox Opening Day Roster

The Boston Red Sox have several roster battles to watch with spring training underway.

The team hosts a number of non-roster invitees at big-league spring training in Fort Myers, Fla. The prospect trio of Marcelo Mayer, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell headline the talent and attention of the fan base in this category, but they spark several other conversations that we’ll leave for now.

Specifically, there are a number of pitchers who could be fighting for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen if the Red Sox do not sign or trade for another reliever before then. We’ll focus on that area of the non-roster group for now.

In that spirit, here are three names to watch to crack the Opening Day roster for the Red Sox, particularly in the bullpen.

Bryan Mata
Boston has been waiting for Mata’s rise for quite some time.

The talented right-hander battled a number of injuries and a slew of transactions since originally joining the Red Sox organization in 2016. He has a 3.46 ERA in his minor-league career and clearly can get hitters out. The question is if Mata can stay on the field to fully show his stuff.

Sean Newcomb
The Middleborough, Mass. product spoke with NESN.com in January when the Red Sox signed him in free agency.

The left-hander made his MLB debut in 2017 and won 12 games with the Atlanta Braves in 2018. He only made 34 appearances over the last three seasons, but Newcomb previously posted quality strikeout numbers and, like Mata, also needs to be on the field to showcase his abilities to the Red Sox.

Michael Fulmer
Boston made a future investment in Fulmer last year on a two-year minor league deal. Fulmer rehabbed in 2024 and returns to the mound in 2025. The 2017 American League Rookie of the Year is slated better for the bullpen at this point of his career and could rely on his veteran experience to win a depth spot for the Red Sox.

Fulmer owns a 3.94 career ERA and last pitched in MLB for the Chicago Cubs in 2023.