FORT MYERS, Fla. — Marcelo Mayer played three innings at second base on Tuesday and started there on Wednesday.
It marked the first time Mayer had played anywhere other than shortstop or third base in his professional career.
Is he in the mix at second base?
“He can do it,’’ manager Alex Cora said prior to the Red Sox’ 6-4 win over the Tigers at JetBlue Park. “Like I said, everybody has a shot.’’
Mayer has had an impressive camp at the plate, hitting .355 with a 1.025 OPS in 36 plate appearances over 16 games. Cora also praised his instincts running the bases.
“The baseball player is real,’’ Cora said. “He’s not just a prospect, he’s a baseball player.’’
Mayer tripled in his first at-bat and looked comfortable playing second base alongside shortstop Trevor Story. He also started a double play early in the game, which Story completed. Mayer said proving he can play multiple positions is key to staying on the field.
“I think the biggest thing is playing multiples as soon as you get more at-bats, you know,’’ he said. “So for me, it’s just about getting at-bats right now, getting ready for the season that’s in big leagues to the big leagues. If it’s into Triple A, it’s for Triple A. But right now, I’m just focused on getting ready for the year.’’
Does Mayer feel like he’s ready for the big stage despite not having any experience at Triple A Worcester?
“Yeah, I think so,’’ he said. “Like I said, though all that stuff is out of my control, the front office makes all those decisions, I feel ready. You know, I feel like I’m in a good spot, mentally, physically, I’m swinging it well, so see what happens.’’
Opportunity knocks
Richard Fitts has had a convincing camp, and with injuries to Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Brayan Bello (shoulder), the righthander may have thrust himself into the conversation as a starter. But Wednesday’s showing wasn’t his best. In four innings, Fitts yielded three runs on six hits, including a Riley Greene solo blast to center.
“It wasn’t my best, but I learned some things about myself going into the season,’’ Fitts said. “I learned how to bounce back from certain things. At one point, I threw six straight balls. And I hate doing that because that’s uncompetitive. Being able to reset and move on from that is something that I want to do better with, because I don’t think I did the best job with it, but I’m learning how I can do it a little bit better.’’
Roster cuts have begun, and Cora said postgame that he isn’t ready to commit to Fitts as his No. 4 starter.
Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck and Walker Buehler, in that order, will fill the first three spots in the rotation.
Fitts understands he, too, could be a part of the mix, but that’s not his focus.
“I’m out here trying to compete, and I’m trying to get ready for the season no matter what,’’ he said. “Whether that’s in Worcester or in the big leagues. I want it to be in the big leagues. But ultimately it’s their decision, and I want to do what’s best for the team and best for us to win a World Series.’’
Gonzalez ‘day by day’
Romy Gonzalez had a MRI that revealed inflammation on his sore oblique, not a strain.“We’ll see how it goes,’’ Cora said. “Day by day for now. Hopefully he’ll be with us in Texas. But we have to be smart about it, too. See how he feels and if it takes a few days longer than expected then we’ll do what we have to do.’’ Gonzalez and Nick Sogard are the backup first basemen. Given how the Sox often pinch run for Triston Casas late in games, it’s an important role . . . Cora said Rafael Devers will “probably not’’ play third base in any of the remaining spring training games and will, presumably, be the team’s designated hitter on Opening Day . . . Giolito’s left hamstring is no longer an issue. Now it’s a question of building up Giolito’s innings to prepare for the season. “He’s in a good spot,’’ Cora said . . . Garrett Whitlock pitched two innings in a minor league game, striking out four . . . Second baseman Vaughn Grissom was optioned to minor league camp, the team announced. With Grissom out of the mix, that leaves Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton, and Mayer to vie for the starting nod at second. Righthanded pitchers Luis Guerrero and Josh Winckowski were also optioned to minor league camp. Catchers Nathan Hickey and Mark Kolozsvary were reassigned to minor league camp.
Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack. Peter Abraham can be reached at peter.abraham@globe.com. Follow him @PeteAbe.