WORCESTER -- Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer learned that Kristian Campbell, the other member of the Big Three, made the Red Sox' Opening Day roster while on the team flight to Mexico on Sunday for two exhibition games.
They didn't learn the news from the 22-year-old Campbell himself. They saw it online.
"It wasn't really a big public announcement or anything like that," Anthony said at Triple-A Worcester's media day here at Polar Park. "But we saw it and just kinda went back on the plane and gave him a hug and told him we were proud of him and excited to join him."
Mayer and Campbell both will start the year at Worcester with the potential of joining Campbell in Boston at some point this season. Campbell will bat sixth and start at second base in his MLB debut Thursday when the Red Sox open their season against the Rangers at Globe Life Field. First pitch is at 4:05 p.m., eastern.
"I think me and Marcelo both just kinda got chills," Anthony said about learning of Campbell's promotion. "We weren't surprised. He's great. He's a great worker. He shows up every day prepared. And he showed up every day in spring, took care of what he needed to take care of and I'm excited."
Anthony said seeing Campbell break camp with the team is "super motivating" for him.
"The goal for us is to just get there as fast as we can," Anthony said. "But for the time being, we're not there right now. Just help this team win and do everything we can while we're here and hopefully get back to playing with Kristian pretty soon."
Mayer added, "Obviously Campbell's a great buddy of mine. I'm super excited for him along with all my other buddies that are on that Opening Day roster. Obviously when you play with guys in the minor leagues and they get their opportunity to live their dream out, it's super special to watch."
Mayer and Anthony will watch the game here in the clubhouse. The WooSox are working out here today.
"We'll still be here," Mayer said. "You best believe all these televisions will be on watching the game."
The Red Sox liked Campbell's underlying offensive numbers -- hitting the ball hard, not chasing pitches, etc., -- as the Grapefruit League schedule progressed. But overall, he batted just 8-for-48 (.167 batting average) with a homer and two doubles in 20 Grapefruit League games.
"He knows the player that he is," Mayer said. "Obviously he knows he didn't have the spring that he wanted to. But he's one of the most talented baseball players I've ever played with."
Mayer said he told Campbell just to be himself.
"There's no doubt in my mind that he's gonna have a great career."
The 20-year-old Anthony, meanwhile, batted .206 but he still posted a .391 on-base percentage in 17 Grapefruit League games.
"It sucked leaving those guys in Mexico but happy to be here," Anthony said. "We've got a great clubhouse. And ready to get after it."
The 22-year-old Mayer, who has yet to appear in a game above Double A, batted .333 (12-for-36) with a .455 on-base percentage, .528 slugging percentage, .983 OPS, one homer, two triples, 11 RBIs, six runs, eight walks and 11 strikeouts in 20 Grapefruit League games.
Anthony said Mayer was in a "groove all spring."
"I constantly try to remind people -- obviously he's had a tough finish in the last few years (because of injuries) -- but he's probably the best player I've ever seen," Anthony said. "And he's a special player. And it's been funny to see the narrative kinda shift on him over the last two years. But I've always said, he's a stud and he's gonna play in the big leagues for a long time."