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Thinking of heading South for Red Sox spring training? Here's what you need to know

Dan DeLuca, Fort Myers News-Press
·6 min read

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox have started the countdown to their 2024 season with spring training getting underway in Fort Myers.

Pitchers and catchers reported for their first formal workouts of the spring Wednesday. The first full-squad workout is set for Monday. 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 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.

Gear sits ready as Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers report for the first day of spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday.
Gear sits ready as Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers report for the first day of spring training in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday.

The Red Sox 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. (Boston had previously held its Spring Training in Winter Haven, Fla.)

If you're looking to escape the winter chill and planning a trip to see the Red Sox this spring, here's what you should know:

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 may be purchased at redsox.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-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.

Are there any special promotions this spring?

A few of the Boston Red Sox's top prospects, from left, Roman Anthony, Nathan Hickey and Marcelo Mayer talk inside the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox Development Program in mid-January.
A few of the Boston Red Sox's top prospects, from left, Roman Anthony, Nathan Hickey and Marcelo Mayer talk inside the Red Sox clubhouse at Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox Development Program in mid-January.

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.

Both the Red Sox and Minnesota Twins, who also hold Spring Training in Fort Myers, 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.

The Red Sox equipment truck is unloaded at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers on Feb. 8.
The Red Sox equipment truck is unloaded at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers on Feb. 8.

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.

Jimmy Buffett statue
Jimmy Buffett statue

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 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.

Red Sox Hawaiian shirt
Red Sox Hawaiian shirt

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.

Red Sox game planning coordinator Jason Varitek calibrates a pitching machine on Wednesday as pitchers and catchers arrive for spring training.
Red Sox game planning coordinator Jason Varitek calibrates a pitching machine on Wednesday as pitchers and catchers arrive for spring training.

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 Florida Gulf Coast 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-inch 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.

Wally, the mascot for the Boston Red Sox, performs during a spring training game between the Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers in mid-March.
Wally, the mascot for the Boston Red Sox, performs during a spring training game between the Red Sox and the Atlanta Braves at Jet Blue Park in Fort Myers in mid-March.

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.*SS = split squad

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Boston Red Sox open Spring Training in Fort Myers