The Boston Red Sox have officially optioned 22‑year‑old rookie second baseman Kristian Campbell to Triple‑A Worcester, as first reported by ESPN and MassLive . The move clears space on the roster for outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who is primed to return from the injured list.
Campbell broke camp as Boston’s Opening Day second baseman, backed by a sensational .301/.407/.495 slash in April that quickly earned him an eight‑year, $60 million extension . His early success continued through early April, earning him American League Rookie of the Month honors .
However, his hot start didn’t last. Since May 1, he has slumped dramatically, hitting just .159 overall—.134 in May and hitting only .205 in June. Defensively, Campbell has also faltered, committing seven errors and ranking in the 1st percentile of outs above average at second base . Over 67 games, he posted a .223/.319/.345 slash line with six homers and 21 RBIs .
Local analysts had warned about the possibility of such a downturn. NBC Sports Boston noted his steep decline since April and speculated in early June that a minor‑league “reset” might benefit him . Manager Alex Cora had remained optimistic, stating that he “wanted him to get it here” rather than sending him down prematurely . But with roster pressure mounting, the decision is now final.
Campbell’s demotion also follows a whirlwind week for the team: less than a week ago, the Red Sox traded star third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants and are now preparing to face them . Wilyer Abreu’s return adds another layer to the influx of reinforcements on the big‑league roster.
This move could prove crucial both for Campbell’s development and Boston’s infield alignment moving forward. While his rookie campaign began with historic highs—including a streak of reaching base in his first 17 games, second‑most in Red Sox history—his prolonged struggles highlighted the volatility of long‑term extensions for young players.
Campbell will head back to Worcester for regular at‑bats and defensive tune‑ups. In his absence, the Red Sox will rely on Abreu in the outfield and reconfigure their infield setup. This period away from Fenway might just be the chance Campbell needs to recalibrate and return stronger.
