Spring Training is here! Here's what to know before heading out to see the Red Sox and Twins
The Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins have started the countdown to their 2024 seasons with spring training underway for both clubs in Fort Myers.
Pitchers and catchers for both teams report for their first formal workouts of the spring today. The first full-squad workout for the Twins at Lee Health Sports Complex is Sunday while the Red Sox will hold theirs at Fenway South on Monday.
The Twins will practice typically from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day before games start and fans have access to watch the Twins on all the Lee Health Sports Complex fields and Hammond Stadium. Red Sox practices are held on the Fenway South back fields behind JetBlue Park starting at 10 a.m. and fan watch areas are roped and marked. Fans may enter the complex through the West Gate beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The Red Sox are looking to bounce back from their second last-place finish in the past three seasons. Boston went 78-84 in 2023, missing the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five years.
The Twins have high hopes for the 2024 season after winning the AL Central Division title last year and ending an 18-game playoff losing streak. Minnesota swept the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Series, earning its first postseason series victory in 21 years before losing the Division Series to the Houston Astros.
This is the 34th spring the Twins have trained in Fort Myers, all at Hammond Stadium at the Lee Health Sports Complex. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have held spring training in Fort Myers since 1993, spending their first 19 years at City of Palms Park before moving to JetBlue Park in 2012.
Here’s what you need to know before heading out to see the Red Sox and Twins this spring.
How to purchase spring training tickets for the Red Sox
Tickets for the Red Sox’s slate of 17 Spring Training games at JetBlue Park can be purchased at redsox.com/tickets or by calling (888) RED-SOX6 (733-7696). They will not be sold at the JetBlue Park ticket office.
Starting this season, parking for Spring Training games at JetBlue is included in the ticket price. Fans just need to show their ticket upon arrival at the facility.
Gates will open 90 minutes before the scheduled start time of each game.
How to purchase spring training tickets for the Twins
Fans can purchase tickets for any of the Twins’ 19 Spring Training games at Hammond Stadium by going to twins.com/tickets, by calling (800) 33-TWINS (338-9467) or by visiting the Hammond Stadium box office. The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will also be open during all Spring Training home games at the Lee Health Sports Complex.
Parking is $10 per vehicle. Gates will open two hours before the first scheduled pitch.
Are there any special promotions this spring?
The Red Sox open house will be held Saturday at JetBlue Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event, open to the public, with free parking welcomes fans to walk around the park and the grounds while enjoying concessions and entertainment.
The Twins open house will take place Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Concessions will be half price and fans will have a chance to win autographed Twins merchandise. Kids of all ages and skill levels will be welcome on the field after the team's workout and will be able to interact with players and participate in whiffle ball,fielding, hitting, and throwing stations.
The Red Sox and Twins will play “Spring Breakout” games featuring their top prospects. For the Red Sox, that could include pitcher Luis Guerrero, the club’s Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2023, and catcher Nathan Hickey, an Eastern League Post-Season All-Star last year as well as shortstop Marcelo Mayer and outfielder Roman Anthony, who are among Baseball America’s Top 25 prospects.
Among the Twins prospects who could be featured are Gabby Gonzalez, a 20-year-old Venezuelan outfielder who was acquired in a January trade that sent second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners, and outfielder Walker Jenkins, the team’s top-ranked minor leaguer.
Both teams will host their seven-inning breakout games on Saturday, March 16 with the Red Sox’s prospects taking on the Atlanta Braves’ minor-leaguers at 1:05 p.m. and the Twins’ prospects facing those of the Tampa Bay Rays at 4:05 p.m.
The Twins’ futures game will be part of a doubleheader that will include a Major League Spring Training game against the Rays at 1:05 p.m. Tickets for the Grapefruit League game are valid for both games.
The Twins will also celebrate Minnesota Day on Sunday, March 10. The festivities will include a pre-game tailgate before the game with the Washington Nationals at 1:05 p.m.
The Red Sox will host three theme days at JetBlue Park to kick off the Grapefruit League portion of their schedule.
On Sunday, Feb. 25, the Red Sox will commemorate iconic singer Jimmy Buffett, who died last September at age 76, during their game with the Minnesota Twins. All fans who purchase tickets through this special offer will receive a Buffett statue memorializing the 20th anniversary of his performance at Fenway Park. There will also be special Margaritaville-themed entertainment and activities at JetBlue Park.
On Monday, Feb. 26, the Red Sox will host the Philadelphia Phillies with select fans receiving a Red Sox-themed Hawaiian shirt presented by Mike's Amazing. Shirts will be available in Adult M and Adult XL with sizes distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
On Friday, Feb. 29, the Red Sox will host to Detroit Tigers with eligible fans receiving a reversible bucket hat, presented by Benjamin Moore.
Additionally, tours of JetBlue Park are available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through March 22. Tickets for tours may be purchased from the JetBlue Park box office beginning at 9:45 a.m. and cost $10 per person, with children 12 and under able to enter for free. Game day VIP tour packages are also available and cost $40 per person and $15 for children 12 and under. These tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and must be prearranged in advance by calling 239-226-4772.
Who’s in and out for the Red Sox?
The Chris Sale era ended in Boston when the Red Sox traded the 34-year-old pitcher to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Vaughn Grissom on Dec. 30. Sale, a former FGCU standout, waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal.
The Red Sox also shipped outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees in just the eighth trade between the bitter rivals since 1969 and lost third baseman Justin Turner and pitcher James Paxton to free agency.
Boston signed right-handed starter Lucas Giolito to a two-year deal. The 29-year-old had a disappointing 2023 season, going 8-15 with a 5.27 ERA in 33 starts with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians. From 2019-22, the 6-foot-6 Giolito was one of the American league’s best starters with the White Sox, going a combined 29-21 with a 3.47 ERA. He was named an All-Star in 2019.
The Red Sox also acquired outfielder Tyler O’Neill in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 28-year-old O’Neill is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner.
Who’s in and out for the Twins?
The Twins saw two-fifths of their 2023 starting staff leave via free agency in Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals) and Kenta Maeda (Detroit Tigers). First baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo, who hit 21 home runs in 332 plate appearances, also departed, signing with the Washington Nationals.
Minnesota made its first significant move of the offseason in late January when it traded second baseman Jorge Polanco to the Seattle Mariners for right-handed pitchers Justin Topa and Anthony DeSclafani and prospects Gabby Gonzalez and Darren Bowen. The trade will open up additional playing time for 24-year-old second baseman Edouard Julian, who batted .263 with 16 home runs and 64 walks in 109 games as a rookie with the Twins last season.
Red Sox 2024 home schedule at JetBlue Park
Friday, Feb. 23 vs. Northeastern, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 25 vs. Minnesota (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 29 vs. Detroit, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 2 vs. Washington (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 vs. Toronto, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5 vs. Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 7 vs. Atlanta, 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 11 vs. Pittsburgh, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 12 vs. St. Louis, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 15 vs. Minnesota, 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 vs. Spring breakout vs. Atlanta prospects, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 vs. New York Yankees (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 19 vs. Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 21 vs. Baltimore, 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 23 vs. Minnesota (SS), 6:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 vs. Atlanta, 1:05 p.m.
Twins 2024 home schedule at Hammond Stadium
Friday, Feb. 23 vs. Minnesota, 6:05 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 24 vs. Pittsburgh, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 27 vs. Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 28 vs. Baltimore, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 1 vs. Boston, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 3 vs. Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 4 vs. Atlanta (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 6 vs. Boston, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 9 vs. New York Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 vs. Washington, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13 vs. St. Louis (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 14 vs. Toronto, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 vs. Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 vs. Spring breakout vs. Tampa Bay prospects, 4:05 p.m.
Monday, March 18 vs. Boston, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 20 vs. Detroit, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 22 vs. Atlanta (SS), 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 24 vs. Baltimore, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 26 vs. Atlanta, 1:05 p.m
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins open Spring Training in Fort Myers
