Gonzalez's adaptability key to utility role

Marwin Gonzalez is comfortable with his carousel of defensive assignments, but he joked Monday that it does inspire one inconvenience.

“It just affects me during the game if I change [positions] because I have to run super fast to get my glove inside and move,” Gonzalez said. “Other than that, it’s good.”

In 29 games entering Monday, Gonzalez has already made three or more starts at five spots: first base, second base, third base, shortstop and left field -- plus one start in right. The concept of playing everywhere -- and not exactly establishing himself anywhere -- is something Red Sox manager Alex Cora brought up over the winter while Gonzalez was mulling his free-agent options.

“I was like, ‘Hey, this is the scenario. You’re gonna play almost every day, but you’re gonna be kind of the backup guy,’” Cora said. “We’ll find [him] at-bats all over the place, and he’s good with that.”

Gonzalez’s malleability in the lineup is particularly important in a time like this, when primary second basemen Christian Arroyo and Kiké Hernández are both on the 10-day injured list for at least the next week. Monday marked Gonzalez’s fourth start at second in the past five games, though Michael Chavis and recent callup Jonathan Araúz both figure to be candidates at that spot as well.

Moving forward, Gonzalez will likely take the lead, though. And he’s also the de facto leadoff hitter for the time being, which Cora said he’s comfortable with -- despite what Gonzalez’s numbers show so far.

“He will work the count, he will put [together] good at-bats,” Cora said of Gonzalez, who has a .657 OPS and more strikeouts (24) than hits (23). “I do believe -- and maybe he doesn’t agree with me -- just putting him up there, forget about hits. Just get on base somehow, some way. It’s a good way to get people going.”

Fenway capacity increases
As per a late-April announcement from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, large capacity venues in the state -- including Fenway Park -- are permitted to increase capacity to 25%, effective Monday.

The Red Sox are still on the road, of course, but they’ll host the Athletics on Tuesday, and roughly 9,400 fans will be allowed inside the ballpark to watch. Given that games at Fenway have been limited to a 12% capacity so far, the increase should provide a noticeable boost to the energy and atmosphere.

“To be honest with you, when we came from Texas to play the Tigers [at home], I was worried that first inning,” Cora said, referencing last week's series against Detroit. “It felt like, I don’t know, a Spring Training game with no fans. Nothing against the people that showed up, but it’s that big of a difference.

“Obviously [we're] looking forward to a packed house, whenever it is. I think it’s gonna be fun. But to have more tomorrow, it's gonna mean a lot to all of us.”

Odds and ends
• Right-hander Tanner Houck, Boston's No. 6 prospect, is “feeling better” and receiving treatment for his sore right flexor muscle, Cora said. Houck was forced out of his start with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, but Cora emphasized that the issue is not expected to be major.

“When things like this happen, you’ve got to be smart about it and take your time,” Cora said. “But as a whole, the training staff and everybody I’ve talked to, they feel very comfortable that this is just something short term. So, he’ll be OK.”

• Relief pitcher Ryan Brasier (60-day IL, strained calf) threw a bullpen session on Saturday that was “really good,” according to Cora. Brasier threw in the range of 20-25 pitches. It’s still too early to tell when he’ll take part in a Minor League assignment.

• Utility man Danny Santana, who had a right foot infection during Spring Training, is doing intake protocol in Worcester. He is expected to play on Tuesday afternoon against Syracuse.