For the first time as a San Diego Padre, Xander Bogaerts stepped foot inside Fenway Park on Friday.
The former longtime Boston shortstop won’t be competing against the Red Sox this weekend as he recovers from a shoulder fracture he sustained last month. However, Bogaerts, who played in Boston for the first decade of his MLB career, opted to make the trip with his teammates to his old stomping grounds.
The 31-year-old was asked about his decision to leave the Red Sox and sign with the Padres in Dec. 2022 for a massive 11-year, $280 million contract while speaking with reporters ahead of Friday’s game.