Kristian Campbell took center field to open the Boston Red Sox’s 2026 spring training campaign on February 20.
Campbell enjoyed just a short tenure on the major league roster last year after inking a $60 million contract extension just weeks into last season. A revealing sign underpinning his struggles appears to have been weight loss issues. Shedding bulk is a key issue among rookies, according to reporting by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, but this offseason his weight has rebounded, rising from 202 to 216 ahead of spring training (as reported by Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald, subscriptions required).