The knee ailment that ultimately resulted in surgery a week after the 2025 Red Sox’s short-lived postseason run will not hold Carlos Narváez back in spring training.

At Saturday’s Fenway Fest, the catcher said he’s “100-percent” on track for a normal spring training. He even described his offseason recovery and rehab as “awesome.”

“(I’m) doing 100-percent everything: running completely, doing defense, hitting,” Narváez said. “If I need to play tomorrow, I can.”

Despite managing the injury for much of the second half, Narváez played 118 games in his first Red Sox season, including 112 as their catcher. He ranked in the 98th MLB percentile in caught stealing above average, led all catchers with 32 runners caught, and was a Gold Glove finalist for the first time.

“It was (bothering me) a lot,” Narváez admitted. “It was on and off. Not gonna lie, last two months of the season especially.”

There would be “really bad” days, followed by “two or three days, I didn’t feel anything,” Narváez said.

He played regardless, and prided himself on being available.

“As soon as the game starts (at) 7 p.m., like, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “It was an issue, of course, but every guy played with some difficulties, you know what I mean? Like, some injuries, some minor pains… at the catcher position, you’ve got to be down there every time and you’ve got to show up, you’ve got to be a leader.”

Saturday was a reminder of how much life has changed for the catcher since last January, when he came to Fenway Fest as a virtual unknown from a trade with the New York Yankees.

This time around, Narváez walked into the daylong event as a team linchpin.

“A year ago I was afraid, I was scared, like everything was new for me,” Narváez said. “Of course after that year (I’m) way more confident.”

Red Sox hungry for fresh start, but roster needs loom large at Fenway Fest

After a transformational year, Narváez is ready to improve and reach new heights in his second Red Sox season.

“I know my bat went down a little bit at the end,” he said. “Of course, the catcher’s interference and all that stuff, I know, was something that bothered me a little bit and cost us at least one or two games in the season.”

Admired by Red Sox pitchers and coaches for his preparedness and the joy he brings to the job, Narváez is especially eager to get to work with two new teammates acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals: right-hander Sonny Gray and catcher-turned-first-baseman Willson Contreras.

“That’s a guy I’ve been seeing since the World Series back then in ‘16,” Narváez said of Contreras. “I know he’s gonna contribute (in a) big way for us. That’s a bat that we needed.”

Narváez and Contreras hail from Venezuela, though the former has lived in Miami for several years. In the uncertain aftermath of American Delta Force operatives’ capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores last Saturday, Narváez said his relatives there are safe.

“Difficult topic there,” Narváez said. “As a country, we know it was needed. It’s not a secret, it’s been tough years.”

Narváez said he “would love” to represent Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, but insurance denied him due to the knee surgery.

Injury update

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Saturday he anticipates an almost entirely healthy group at big-league spring training next month. Presently, right-hander Tanner Houck (elbow) and first baseman Triston Casas (knee) are the only current exceptions.