Carlos Narváez: Red Sox catcher's knee surgery and rise from Yankees trade
Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez, who hit a key home run against his former team the Yankees in June 2025, underwent successful left knee surgery in October 2025 and is expected to be ready for spring training, with manager.
Carlos Narváez underwent successful left knee meniscectomy in October 2025 and is expected to be ready for spring training. The Red Sox catcher hit a key home run against his former team, the Yankees, in June 2025.
Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narváez underwent a successful left knee meniscectomy in October 2025, performed by Dr. Eric Berkson at Mass General Brigham Healthcare, according to reports. The Red Sox expect Narváez to be ready for spring training, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. Narváez, a Venezuelan who made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 2024, was traded to Boston in December 2024 for minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and international signing bonus money, according to reports. He quickly became a key bat for the Red Sox, hitting a home run in an 11-7 win over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2025, and later hitting a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in July. In February 2026, manager Alex Cora said Narváez had earned the right to be the starting catcher, according to reports. Narváez, who said he "would love to be a Red Sox forever," is now entering a pivotal season with his role cemented and his recovery from surgery the central question.
Knee surgery in October 2025
Carlos Narváez underwent a successful left knee meniscectomy in October 2025. The procedure was performed by Dr. Eric Berkson at Mass General Brigham Healthcare, according to reports. The Boston Red Sox expect the catcher to be ready for spring training, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said. The surgery came at the end of a breakout season in which Narváez had established himself as a key contributor for Boston. The team’s medical staff will monitor his recovery through the offseason, with a target of full participation when position players report to Fort Myers, Florida, in February. Narváez made his MLB debut in 2024 and was traded from the New York Yankees to the Red Sox in December of that year.
MLB debut with New York Yankees
Traded from New York Yankees to Boston Red Sox for minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and international signing bonus money
Hit a key home run for the Red Sox in an 11-7 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium
Hit a home run and executed a pickoff in a game for the Red Sox
Called for catcher's interference during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies
Hit a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies
Faced the Yankees in a playoff series, having previously been a Yankees prospect
Underwent a successful left knee meniscectomy performed by Dr. Eric Berkson at Mass General Brigham Healthcare
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Narváez earned the right to be the starting catcher
Narváez said he 'would love to be a Red Sox forever'
Narváez took a hard stance on his future in Boston
Trade from Yankees to Red Sox in December 2024
In December 2024, the Red Sox acquired Carlos Narváez from the New York Yankees, according to reports. The trade sent minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and international signing bonus money to the Yankees. Narváez had made his MLB debut with New York earlier in 2024. The 24-year-old Venezuelan catcher moved within the division, swapping the Yankees’ system for Boston’s.
The trade came less than a year after Narváez’s debut. He had played sparingly for the Yankees in 2024, appearing in a handful of games before the December deal sent him to Boston.
Key moments in the 2025 season
Narváez delivered one of his defining moments of the season on June 8, 2025, hitting a key home run against his former team, the Yankees, at Yankee Stadium. The blast helped the Red Sox to an 11-7 victory.
In July 2025, Narváez again produced in the clutch, hitting a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies. That same month, he was called for catcher’s interference during a game against the Phillies, a brief blemish on an otherwise strong campaign.
Narváez's future with the Red Sox
By February 2026, Narváez’s standing in Boston had shifted decisively. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the catcher had earned the right to be the starting catcher, according to reports. Narváez himself took a hard stance on his future with the club, stating he “would love to be a Red Sox forever.” The remarks came after a breakout 2025 season that included a key home run against his former team, the Yankees, and a go-ahead homer in extra innings against the Phillies. The team expects him ready for spring training following his October knee surgery.
Narváez said he 'would love to be a Red Sox forever.'
Playoff series against former team
By September 2025, Narváez faced the Yankees in a playoff series — the team that had traded him less than a year earlier. Boone, the Yankees manager, acknowledged he always knew Narváez was a legitimate major leaguer. But Boone admitted he had not expected the catcher to develop into Boston’s cleanup hitter. The matchup carried a sharp edge of familiarity for Narváez, a former Yankees prospect who had made his MLB debut with the club in 2024 before being dealt to Boston in December of that year.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Carlos Narvaez?
Carlos Narváez is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who made his MLB debut in 2024 with the New York Yankees. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in December 2024 and has since become a key player, hitting a home run against the Yankees in June 2025.
How did Carlos Narvaez get traded to the Red Sox?
According to reports, the Red Sox acquired Narváez from the Yankees in December 2024 for minor league pitcher Elmer Rodriguez and international signing bonus money. After the trade, he became the Red Sox's cleanup hitter.
What happened with Carlos Narvaez's knee surgery?
According to reports, Narváez underwent a successful left knee meniscectomy in October 2025, performed by Dr. Eric Berkson at Mass General Brigham Healthcare. Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said the team expects him to be ready for spring training.
Will Carlos Narvaez be the Red Sox starting catcher?
According to Red Sox manager Alex Cora in February 2026, Narváez earned the right to be the starting catcher. Narváez himself said he 'would love to be a Red Sox forever' and reportedly took a hard stance on his future in Boston that month.
What were Carlos Narvaez's best moments with the Red Sox?
According to reports, Narváez hit a key home run for the Red Sox in an 11-7 victory over the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 2025. In July 2025, he hit a go-ahead home run in the 11th inning against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Compiled from reporting by 12 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
