On February 20, the Boston Red Sox will start spring training with their annual exhibition game against Northeastern University. The game kicks off at 1:05 p.m. at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, setting the stage for several intriguing player evaluations, including featuring outfielder Masataka Yoshida spring training appearances before his departure to Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced that prospect right-handed pitcher Tyler Uberstine, newly added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, will start the game against the Huskies. Uberstine, 26, finished the previous season with a 3.58 ERA while tallying 137 strikeouts and 41 walks over 120.2 innings across Double-A and Triple-A levels.
Masataka Yoshida Highlighted in Opening Spring Training Lineup
Despite ongoing questions surrounding his role with Boston, Cora emphasized the importance of Masataka Yoshida, calling him “part of the solution” and praising him as one of the team’s top hitters. Yoshida is slated to bat second against Northeastern before leaving camp for international duty. While he stands out as the best player in this lineup, the overall roster fielded for this game includes many players unlikely to secure spots on the Opening Day roster.
“We have ourselves a lineup! pic.twitter.com/C08nCU05kd”
— Red Sox
Assessing Yoshida’s Performance and Future with the Club
Yoshida is known for a slow start to his seasons, so the Red Sox plan to maximize his at-bats in early spring games to evaluate whether he fits into the team’s Opening Day roster or could be a potential trade candidate. However, any minor league assignment would require his consent, which could be difficult given his recent dissatisfaction with his tenure in Boston.
Joining Yoshida in the lineup, Nate Eaton and Kristian Campbell are the only other players on opening day’s roster with major league experience. Both will need to impress during spring training to solidify bench roles. Campbell will take center field, a position he has transitioned to after struggles playing second base in the majors, as suggested by Craig Breslow.
Supporting Players and Pitching Prospects in Early Spring Lineup
The lineup also includes Nathan Hickey, Mikey Romero, Vinny Capra, Tsung-Che Cheng, Allan Castro, and Ronald Rosario, many of whom represent potential depth options for the major league roster. Hickey, Romero, Capra, and Cheng could contribute later in the season, while Castro and Rosario finished the previous year in Double-A.
Tyler Uberstine will be followed on the mound by promising pitching prospects Jeremy Wu-Yelland (LHP), Noah Song (RHP), and Wyatt Olds (RHP), as the Red Sox look to evaluate their pitching depth during these exhibition games.
Implications for the Red Sox and What to Watch Next
This early spring training game offers the Red Sox an opportunity to gauge how their roster could take shape for the upcoming season, with particular focus on Masataka Yoshida’s role amid uncertainty. His performance in the next two games before leaving for the World Baseball Classic will likely influence Boston’s decisions regarding his future. Meanwhile, players like Eaton, Campbell, and several prospects aim to prove their value for potential roster spots.
As the Red Sox prepare for the full 2026 season, these exhibition matchups and spring appearances will provide critical insights into the team’s lineup, pitching options, and potential roster moves heading into Opening Day.
We have ourselves a lineup! pic.twitter.com/C08nCU05kd
— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 20, 2026
