Caleb Durbin says he’s willing to move to second base if Red Sox go after a new bat at third

Caleb Durbin is almost shy in admitting that, yes, he’d love to win a Gold Glove at third base.

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“I’m hesitant to talk about it just because talk is cheap,” said Durbin, who entered the Red Sox’ 6-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Saturday at Fenway Park ranked third among American League third baseman with three outs above average. “You’ve got to go out and do it, but that’s definitely been a goal of mine.”

Yet he’d be willing to sacrifice that goal if that would improve the Red Sox’ chances of reaching the playoffs. Specifically, Durbin said that, while he’s taken grounders exclusively at third since early in spring training, he’d be fine with a move to second base if the Sox pursued a third baseman prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

“I came into this year willing to be wherever they need me, and that hasn’t changed. Wherever they need me to play, I’ll play there,” said Durbin, who suggested the communication he’s received from interim manager Chad Tracy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has him comfortable with any possible change. “I’m sure they would have my input on that, too, and it would ideally be a collaborative thing. But I also trust whatever they think is best.”

Though Durbin has only played third base this year, and spent nearly all of 2025 with the Brewers at the hot corner (with 10 games at second base), he said a switch to second could happen quickly, as it was his primary position in the minors.

“I’ve played second base my whole entire life,” he said. “Today, I’d probably be most comfortable playing at third base, just because that’s where I’ve taken ground balls all year, but it wouldn’t take long for me to get comfortable there.”

With the Sox vaulting themselves into postseason position with a monthlong surge, what would Durbin like the team to do leading up to the deadline?

“I love the team we have right now … I love the relationships we’ve built on this team, and that goes a long way,” he said. “But obviously, we want to win a World Series, and whoever can help us do that is always welcome with open arms.”

The Sox plan to activate lefthander Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.15 ERA) from the 15-day injured list to start against the Blue Jays Sunday (1:35 p.m.) opposite Kevin Gausman (4-9, 4.51). Suarez had been sidelined since July 6 with a left groin strain, and then illness prolonged his IL stint.

Though the Sox continued their tremendous play with him out, they’re excited for the All-Star southpaw’s return.

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“The pitching’s done a fantastic job navigating what I guess you could call rough waters here,” said Tracy. “Having [Suarez] healthy and back in there is a big boost.”

With Suarez back, lefthander Payton Tolle’s start has been pushed from Sunday in Boston to Monday against the Athletics in Sacramento.

Connelly Early, out since July 1 with left elbow inflammation, has begun a five-day workload progression. He’ll simulate a two-inning stint in his next bullpen session on either Wednesday or Thursday.

In mop-up duty Saturday behind Sox starter Sonny Gray, long reliever Alec Gamboa provided the bullpen a reprieve. The lefthander logged a career-high four innings, allowing one run while striking out six.

“Huge,” Tracy said of the effort.

But Gamboa was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after the game to clear a roster spot for Suarez.

Despite the presence of righthander Dylan Cease on the mound Saturday for the Blue Jays, Andruw Monasterio started at shortstop for the second straight day. While Tracy has mostly employed a platoon with Monasterio and Tsung-Che Cheng, Monasterio’s recent hot streak (9 for 17, with six extra-base hits, four walks, and just two strikeouts over six games) convinced Tracy change his usual plan.

“Just swinging the bat really well,” Tracy said of Monasterio. “He’s also, during the stretch, played shortstop very, very well. So when you’re watching that at-bat quality, there’s just moments you watch this happening, and you’re like, ‘At the moment, it’s tough to take that out of there.’”

Infielder Marcelo Mayer, out since June 26 with a stress reaction in his left ulna (forearm), is now hitting off a tee. Fellow infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, also working back from the same stress reaction, remains at an earlier stage of his swing progression … Though prior injuries to his knee and ribs have healed, first baseman Triston Casas remains unable to swing while rehabbing in Fort Myers because of a wrist injury.

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