The TV flickered. Marcelo Mayer leaned back into the couch with a warm bagel in hand, watching Narcos. Just another quiet morning until his phone buzzed. The alert wasn’t about his own progress at the plate or a rehab update on his wrist. It was about Roman Anthony. Mayers blinked at the screen as he read the headline. His teammate had just landed an 8-year, $130 million extension that could be worth $230 million with the inclusion of planned incentives.

For a moment, Mayer wasn’t Boston’s next big thing. He was just a 22-year-old with cream cheese on his fingers and a front-row seat to his friend’s payday. While the baseball world swirled with hot takes and contract breakdowns, Mayer kept it simple when reporters asked if he might be next in line.

“Marcelo Mayer says he hasn’t had any extension discussions with the team and is focused right now on getting his wrist all healthy. Also says he found out about Anthony’s extension this morning, when he was sitting on the couch watching Narcos and eating a bagel,” Red Sox reporter Mac Cerullo posted on X.

So, right after Anthony became the latest young player to ink a long-term deal, Mayer’s calm, almost comedic response offered something different: a glimpse into a quieter but no less crucial storyline. Boston’s front office has moved aggressively to secure its core, Bello, Rafaela, Campbell, and now Anthony, but Mayer remains without an extension, watching it all unfold from the sidelines as he recovers from a wrist injury.

But hey, don’t let Mayer’s relaxed vibe fool you. He’s still super driven. But, instead of trying to make a quick buck, he’s focused on what really matters: taking care of his body, getting his timing right, and building trust in himself and the whole process. The Red Sox, meanwhile, likely want to see how his wrist holds up before sliding any long-term offer across the table. And that’s fair. Mayer may have debuted with flashes of brilliance, but his real test lies ahead.

Mayer is not rattled by Anthony’s deal. He’s not pressing. In fact, he seems more comfortable than ever, comfortable enough to casually mention his bagel and binge-watching habits. But when will he be back?

Inside Marcelo Mayer’s injury

The pain in Marcelo Mayer’s wrist wasn’t just a minor bruise; it involved damage to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), a notoriously tricky area for baseball players.  But it’s not his first run-in with the injury; Mayer dealt with similar issues during his minor league stint. When doctors presented the options, one of which was season-ending surgery, Mayer opted instead for a cortisone shot, aiming for a faster return without going under the knife.

That shot, which he received on August 2, seems to be doing its job for now. Mayer reported a “100 percent” improvement in pain, which is no small statement considering how limiting the injury had been since he exited the July 23 game. But even with the pain gone, Mayer’s path forward isn’t wide open just yet.

The Red Sox still haven’t given him the green light for baseball activities. There’s a decent stretch of rehab and strengthening standing between him and the batter’s box. He knows the reality: if the wrist flares up again or progress stalls, offseason surgery could come back into the conversation, but right now, he’s all-in on giving this route a chance.

“I want to play and I want to get back on the field as soon as possible,” Mayer said, as quoted by The Boston Globe. August is shaping up to be a month for him filled with hope and a sense of determination. And maybe a bit of restlessness too. The thing is, he’s not going to be able to join his team, the Red Sox, on their trip to San Diego, which so happens to be his hometown. That means he won’t be back in action until August 11.

For a guy who’s all about giving it his all and helping his team win, this delay is pretty frustrating. Still, Mayer is not letting it get to him. He’s staying focused.