Alex Cora Reveals Message To Marcelo Mayer Before MLB Debut

BOSTON — Marcelo Mayer wasn’t the first highly touted Boston Red Sox prospect Alex Cora saw make his MLB debut in recent years.

The Red Sox manager knew what was in store for the 22-year-old infielder, who experienced a whirlwind day Saturday by being promoted from Triple-A Worcester to Boston.

There was very little time for Mayer to acclimate to his new home ballpark after getting a ride east on the Mass Pike as Cora plugged him in at third base for the second game of a doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. But Cora gave Mayer some simple advice to try to lessen the burden on him before making his debut.

“One thing I told him, ‘Enjoy it, enjoy it. It doesn’t matter the result: 0-for-4 with four strikeouts or 4-for-4 with four home runs, whatever. Just enjoy it. You’re a big leaguer. Nobody is going take that away from you,'” Cora said prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles.

Mayer underwhelmed at the plate in the 2-1 loss, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. But perhaps heeding the skipper’s advice, Mayer didn’t let the struggles at the plate dampen a momentous occasion.

“He’s going to have a blast anyways. He loves the game,” Cora said. “We met earlier today to go over a few things. He’s excited about the opportunity. But (Saturday) was very fast.”

Mayer’s family will be in attendance at Fenway Park on Sunday after not getting in on time following his quick call up Saturday. They will see Mayer back at third base and sixth in the batting order with Alex Bregman on the injured list.

And Mayer will hope his second big-league game won’t feel so fast.

“He did an outstanding job trying to slow it down,” Cora said. “Hopefully today he’s able to slow it down.”