Red Sox Announce Roster Decision on Thursday

Trevor Story and the Boston Red Sox are off to a tough start early in the 2026 MLB season. At 12-19, Boston is sitting in last place in the American League East. The Red Sox ended their series against Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays with two straight losses, including an 8-1 loss on Wednesday.

Story went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in the game, bringing his batting average up to .197. In 30 games, the two-time Silver Slugger winner has only two home runs, 24 hits, 17 RBIs and 40 strikeouts in 122 plate appearances. The statistical output extrapolated over the entire season would equate to the Irving High School graduate's worst professional season.

The tough start in Beantown has already caused the front office to make changes. On Saturday, the Red Sox made the controversial decision to fire manager Alex Cora. Cora was the manager who brought Boston its last World Series championship in 2018. On Wednesday, ace starting pitcher Garrett Crochet was placed on the 15-day injured list due to shoulder inflammation.

On Thursday, the Red Sox went to social media to disclose another roster decision. In a post on X, Boston announced that it has optioned Nate Eaton to its Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox. The Virginia native has yet to appear in a game for Boston this season.

Eaton spent time last season going back and forth from Worcester to Boston. In 2025, the 5-foot-11 utility player appeared in 41 games for the Red Sox, recording 24 hits and a home run in 81 plate appearances and scoring 16 runs due to a strong OBP of .348. The right-handed hitter will be warmly welcomed back to the Worcester lineup, as he has three home runs, 12 RBIs, 28 hits and 16 runs scored in 96 minor league plate appearances in 2026. The 29-year-old also boasts a .373 OBP and an .831 OPS for the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate.

"The #RedSox today optioned INF/OF Nate Eaton," the Red Sox wrote. "To Triple-A Worcester."

The #RedSox today optioned INF/OF Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester.

— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 30, 2026

Boston will face Yordan Alvarez and the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

Related: Nico Hoerner News Announced On Wednesday

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 11:52 AM.