Cotillo: Mayer was "bitter" about lack of leash

Key Points:

• Trevor Mayer, once seen as a future cornerstone for the Red Sox, struggled with health and consistency, leading Boston to trade him to the Giants to strengthen their bullpen and make room for rising prospect Franklin Arias.
• Mayer has been sidelined with a stress reaction in his left forearm, reportedly playing through the injury for two months, which affected his performance; his return timeline is uncertain, with a rehab assignment possibly starting soon.
• The Red Sox have other infield options like Romy Gonzalez, Anthony Seigler, and Tsung-Che Cheng, who was recently recalled to replace Mayer on the active roster during his injury absence.
• Mayer’s recent performance has been underwhelming, hitting .133/.316/.133 after returning from a neck injury, and his role in Boston’s lineup remains uncertain as he battles ongoing health issues.
• Despite illness and injuries, Mayer has intermittently started at shortstop and second base, but Boston’s depth and Mayer’s health challenges have limited his consistent playing time this season.