Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect Connor Wong’s diagnosis and injured list status.

Despite cold, soggy weather, the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays played their first tilt of the 2025 season on time at Fenway Park. Boston started its primary catcher, Connor Wong, behind the dish.

Wong crouched behind George Springer in the first inning. He reached forward to receive a pitch from Richard Fitts and Springer’s bat cracked him in the hand just below the mitt. Wong immediately stood up and shook off his glove as Alex Cora called for the trainer. Springer was awarded first base on Wong’s second catcher interference call of the young season.

Announcers Dave O’Brien and Will Middlebrooks pointed out on the NESN broadcast of the game that Wong’s hand was already swelling as the trainer examined it. He eventually put his glove back on and took a few practice catches from Fitts before he finished out the inning.

But Carlos Narváez came out for the next frame. The Red Sox pulled Wong and swiftly diagnosed him with a hand contusion, according to NESN. Cora said in his postgame presser that Wong has a fracture near his pinky finger and will go on the injured list, although he did not confirm the expected length of his stint. He also did not confirm Boston’s corresponding roster move, but it will need to summon another catcher from Triple-A.

Connor Wong exits Red Sox’s first game against Blue Jays with hand contusion

The Red Sox relied heavily on Wong in the first half of last season after former backup catcher Reese McGuire was designated for assignment. Wong was also a critical righty bat in Boston’s lefty-heavy lineup, and he posted a career year at the plate. The 28-year-old batted .280/.333/.425 with 24 doubles, a triple and 13 homers over 126 games last year.

Luckily for the Red Sox, recently acquired backup catcher Narváez is on a tear at the plate to begin 2025. The former Yankees prospect is batting .429/.556/.643 with a 1.199 OPS in his first four games with the Red Sox organization. It’s a small sample size, but Boston traded for Narváez after he appeared in just six big league games for the Yankees, and its risk was worth it early.

Wong’s IL stint is rough news for the Red Sox, as their catching depth is lacking. The Sox’s other backup catching options are 27-year-old Blake Sabol, formerly of the Giants organization, and veteran Seby Zavala who played 18 games with the Mariners in 2024.