The 33-year-old Thompson is doing his absolute best to show everyone that the Red Sox don’t need to acquire an extra outfielder with Wilyer Abreu expected to open up on the injured list. He’s hitting a cool .391/.533/1.261 in 30 plate appearances and he’s even 3-for-3 stealing bases, so he should be in line to make the team as an early season stopgap.

Thompson is the first player to get to give homers this spring. A late minor league signing for Boston, he now has a path to making the Red Sox with Wilyer Abreu likely to open up on the IL. Expectations should remain modest, though he was a great surprise for the Dodgers three years ago (.268/.364/.537 with 13 homers in 239 plate appearances).

Thompson, who turns 34 this month, is batting .278/.381/.833 in 21 plate appearances. He doesn’t make any sense for Boston’s roster if everyone stays healthy, but it’s possible he’ll get a spot if Wilyer Abreu needs to go on the injured list. Otherwise, the Red Sox might also be willing to cut him loose if another team wants him at the end of the spring.

The 33-year-old spent all of last season in Triple-A, splitting it between the Mets and Cubs organizations. In total, he hit .233/.315/.471 with 23 home runs and nine steals in 432 plate appearances. Thompson struggled in 2023 in his last season at the MLB level and is just a career .212 hitter with a 32.7 percent strikeout rate. His best bet figures to be organizational outfield depth in Boson.