Report: Red Sox unlikely to fire Cora before investigation's conclusion

The Boston Red Sox will stand with their manager, at least until Major League Baseball's penalties are announced.

The Red Sox plan to retain Alex Cora through the remainder of MLB's investigation into sign-stealing allegations against the skipper, sources indicated to Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe.

However, when MLB's investigation is complete, the team could choose to part ways with Cora then, which would follow the path the Houston Astros traveled in respect to their decision to fire AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow.

In a nine-page report released on Monday, Rob Manfred concluded that the Astros had breached league rules by using surveillance to monitor and decode opposing teams' pitch signals before relaying them to the hitter at the plate. While Luhnow and Hinch were given one-year suspensions and subsequently fired for their actions, the team also forfeited two first-round draft picks, two second-round selections, and was ordered to pay a $5-million fine.

While the investigation into the Red Sox and Cora is still under review, Monday's report stated that Cora - then the Astros bench coach - "was an active participant in the scheme." The forthcoming discipline for Cora is expected to be harsh, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

In two seasons at the helm of the Red Sox, Cora owns a 192-132 record and helped lead the team to a World Series title in 2018.