Narváez earned real trust last season for his defense, posting strong numbers behind the plate while battling through a knee issue. He hit .241 with a .726 OPS, 15 homers and 27 doubles, and led all big league catchers in assists and runners caught stealing, a résumé that earned him a lengthy leash even as the entering year began.
But the early 2026 results have exposed how thin the margin can be when the bat isn’t there. Through 12 games, Narváez was batting .195 with no extra-base hits, no RBIs, only one walk and 14 strikeouts. In contrast, Connor Wong has surged, batting .381 with four doubles in 21 at-bats and moving toward a larger share of catching duties.
Cora has framed the situation as matchup-based and team-first rather than a formal demotion, including a right-handed-heavy lineup on Tarik Skubal’s start that had Wong in the lineup and Narváez penciled in to catch the following day. The implied message: the conversation isn’t about a permanent pecking order, but about maximizing the team’s chances to win.
That approach also mirrors what’s happening on the field. Cora praised the communication between the two catchers and noted Narváez’s framing background helping Wong’s development, a dynamic that could widen if Wong continues to hit and Narváez remains cold at the plate.
Ultimately, Boston may be headed toward a true timeshare rather than a clear starter–backup split. If Wong continues to hit and Narváez struggles, the Red Sox may be forced to redefine roles sooner rather than later, turning a spring-training curiosity into a genuine, ongoing competition behind the plate.
