Red Sox Notes: Wilyer Abreu Plays Hero In Opening Day Victory

The Boston Red Sox needed someone to save the day in Game 1 of the 2025 season.

Wilyer Abreu swiftly answered the call.

The Red Sox outfielder smashed two home runs, including the game-winning three-run shot in the ninth inning, as part of a three-hit day as Boston downed the Texas Rangers for a 5-2 win.

This performance comes after Abreu had just one hit in spring training after he missed significant time battling a gastrointestinal virus. The Red Sox outfielder still got himself ready for Opening Day, and he met the moment.

“I feel very good,” Abreu told NESN’s Jahmai Webster through team translator Carlos Villoria. “I never thought the virus or the weight loss was going to be an issue to start the year.”

“There was one point, I was very worried about the whole situation,” Alex Cora told reporters, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “Thank God nothing happened. He was able to get his at-bats and get his strength back. His weight is still down. He’s a good player. I’m happy he’s here.”

Now both of Abreu’s multi-home run games in his career came at Globe Life Field. The Red Sox outfielder had an emotional performance last year following the death of his grandmother. This time around, Abreu launched two long balls just weeks after the birth of his twin sons.

“He’s such a good player,” Cora said. “Dynamic. He had a big one here last year. Big game when his grandmother passed away. He hit two for the twins. Can’t just go one. For the twins, you’ve got to go two.”

“I just try to focus, don’t make the situation bigger than it is,” Abreu said. “Try to look for a pitch closer to me to do some damage, and I was able to do that.”

Boston had just six hits on the day. Old friend Nathan Eovaldi had good stuff for the Rangers and stifled the Red Sox for most of his outing. Just like his big game in Texas last year, Abreu bested Eovaldi and turned in a clutch home run later in the game. On a day where Boston’s talented top of the order struggled, Abreu made a big statement with his bat to open the season.

“We battled, we took our walks and Willy had the big game,” Cora said.

Here are more notes from Thursday’s Red Sox-Rangers game:

— Garrett Crochet made his first start for the Red Sox and his second straight Opening Day stuff. He didn’t have his best control, but still impressed with a good cutter. He held the Rangers to two runs through five innings of work with four strikeouts.

— Kristian Campbell laced a hard-hit single in the ninth inning for his first big-league hit in his MLB debut. He became the seventh different Opening Day second baseman for the Red Sox in seven seasons.

— Garrett Whitlock impressed in his return to the bullpen with two scoreless innings.

— Justin Slaten earned the save after closer Aroldis Chapman took the eighth inning to face the heart of the Rangers’ lineup. The Red Sox got four scoreless innings from the bullpen Thursday.

— Boston placed Liam Hendriks, who had been in the closer competition this spring, on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation. Hendriks told reporters postgame on NESN’s postgame coverage that he dealt with a compressed nerve during spring training.

— The Red Sox and Rangers continue their four-game series Friday night at Globe Life Field. First pitch is set for 8:05 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.