May 26, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Justin Turner (2) warms up prior to facing the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Boston Red Sox at Arizona Diamondbacks
(Boston, Massachusetts) — Never say never.
Just last week, Red Sox manager Alex Cora mentioned the team was considering moving Justin Turner to second base in order to inject more offense into the lineup.
Well, that move will happen for the first time Friday night at Wrigley Field. Justin Turner will make the start at second base on Friday against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Yes, you read that correctly.
Moving Turner to second allows Cora to have all four of his outfielders (Alex Verdugo, Jareen Duran, Adam Duvall, Masataka Yoshida) in the lineup because Turner isn’t the DH.
The 38-year-old Turner will make his first start at second base since September 9, 2015 as the Red Sox begin the second half of the season.
It’s not like the Red Sox’ defense can get any worse, right?
Turner has slashed an impressive .288/.362/.462 with 13 homeruns and 52 RBI across 87 games.
