JUPITER, Fla. — When the Boston Red Sox opened camp in mid-February, they did so unsure of who would be their second baseman for the 2025 season.

Now, some five weeks later, little has changed. With less than two weeks to go before the start of the regular season and as they enter their final full week in Florida, the position remains unclaimed.

“Second base,” confirmed manager Alex Cora on Friday, “is still open.”

Notably, it would seem Alex Bregman can be ruled out as a possibility. Bregman has yet to play a single inning at the position this spring, and it’s unfathomable that the Red Sox would have him try to play catch-up over the next 10 days — especially since, over the entirety of his major league career, he’s played just nine games at second base. It would be a surprise if Bregman doesn’t open the season as the regular third baseman.

That leaves three candidates for second: Kristian Campbell, David Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom.

Hamilton has had a strong camp, despite his .241 batting average. He’s compiled an .841 OPS with improved on-base skills (.389) and more thump.

“I think, offensively, he found a few things last year,” said Cora. “He’s a lot more direct to the ball. He’s a lot stronger, too. You’ve got to remember: (In 2024), he was coming off the thumb surgery, so the offseason wasn’t perfect for him. He was a little sluggish, to be honest with you, during camp. He didn’t do much. He said he was tired during camp.

“We needed him right away (at shortstop) when Trevor (Story) got hurt (with the shoulder injury). He wasn’t able to slow it down (at short). We kind of slowed it down for him. He did a good job. He’s a good defender. There’s a few things we believe he can do a little better. Range is great, but if you’re going to get to the ball, you’ve got to turn it into outs, and that’s something he working hard at. He’s doing a good job for us.”

Grissom’s stock dipped precipitously last year. He arrived in spring training battling some injuries and lost most of the spring. When he was finally healthy in early May, he performed poorly and was eventually sent to Triple-A Worcester.

When he returned for the final month, he was in better shape and played better. But still, the Red Sox weren’t ready to commit the position to him this spring.

“Vaughn had a great day (Thursday in Port St. Lucie),” said Cora. “He hit the ball well, turned the double play, which is huge for us. For me, turning the double play is something that we have to do. He did an amazing job.”

Finally, there’s Campbell, who caught everyone’s attention early in camp with his at-bats and actions around second. Since Grapefruit League play began, however, Campbell has stalled, with just five hits (and one extra-base hit) in 30 at-bats.

“We’ll keep getting him reps at second,” said Cora, noting that Campbell also has gotten playing time in the outfield, expanding his versatility.

It’s worth noting that the final decision on who wins the job won’t be made in a vacuum. In choosing a starter, the Red Sox have to take into consideration how the decision impacts the rest of the roster.

For instance, Campbell’s ability to play some outfield could make him a valuable piece. And while Hamilton can shift to short and even third — he played short on Friday against the Florida Marlins — Grissom is mostly a considered a second baseman, though he played some short in Atlanta’s minor league system before being dealt to the Sox.

The fact that Wilyer Abreu might be able to open the season on the active roster could impact things. With Abreu cleared medically, the Red Sox may not require any of their infield candidates to be flexible enough to contribute in the outfield.

SPRING DEBUTS: Rafael Devers and Abreu were in Boston’s lineup Saturday for the first time this spring as the Red Sox lost 7-3 against Atlanta in Fort Myers, Florida.

Devers served as the designated hitter and was 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Abreu played right field and went 0 for 2 before leaving the game.

ROTATION: Manager Alex Cora announced Saturday that Garrett Crochet will be Boston’s Opening Day starter.

He also said Tanner Houck will start the second game and Walker Buehler will start the third game. A competition continues for the final two rotation spots with Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford all beginning the season on the IL.

Cora named Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester, Cooper Criswell and non-roster invitee Sean Newcomb as the top four candidates battling for the two spots.

“They’re all throwing the ball well,” Cora said. “They’re capable of doing that. (Michael) Fulmer, we extended yesterday. So we gotta see where we at. But we’ll make a decision probably in the upcoming days.”

Fitts likely locked up one of the two spots with another strong outing Friday. He tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit while walking nobody and striking out four against Miami.

“What I saw yesterday was great,” Cora said. “Stuff was great, strike throwing was good. You gotta throw strikes. We have to throw strikes. Sean did it, too, against the Mets, a really good lineup. Just keep pounding the strike zone, get people out. But I think it’s more about strike throwing for me.”

The 25-year-old Fitts allowed just four earned runs in 20 2/3 innings (1.74 ERA) in his first four big league starts last September.

Cora said Fitts’ stuff looks a lot better now. The righty has allowed just one run in 10 2/3 innings this spring. He has given up seven hits and four walks while striking out 13.

“Velo’s up,” Cora said. “He was pitching at 96, 97 yesterday. He was very efficient. He was able to move the ball around, change speeds. He was efficient. He had to finish in the bullpen yesterday. That’s always a good sign in spring training. Right now, he’s been impressive. He did an amazing job in the offseason. He and his wife, they were in Boston since the first week of January. And (he) just put the work in in the weight room, working with the pitching group, and he’s put himself in a great position.”

Priester, a 24-year-old righty, started Saturday against the Braves, and allowed six hits, three walks and three runs in 2 2/3 innings. In three previous starts this spring, he allowed two runs, eight hits and four walks while striking out five in 6 2/3 innings.

Newcomb, a 31-year-old lefty, has started 60 games in the majors. He has allowed just one run, five hits and three walks while striking out 10 in 9 2/3 innings.

Criswell, a 28-year-old righty who made 18 starts for Boston last year, has given up four runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out eight in 6 2/3 innings in Grapefruit League action.