Curtis Mead Wrist Injury Impacted Red Sox Trade Deadline Strategy

Acquired from Washington before the 2026 trade deadline after posting 17 home runs and an .852 OPS, Boston Red Sox infielder Curtis Mead suffered a fractured wrist when hit by a 95-mph pitch in his second game with Boston. The injury forced Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow to pivot aggressively, leading to major deadline moves including trading for catcher Adley Rutschman. Mead remains under team control through 2031.