Brandon Workman used his final minor league option during the 2018 season. He’s the only player on the Red Sox’s 40-man roster who is out of options for the first time in 2019.

He joins four other Red Sox relievers (Steven Wright, Heath Hembree, Brian Johnson and Tyler Thornburg) without minor league options remaining.

Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier still have two options remaining. But, as of now, those options won’t be used barring any unforeseen significant regression. Both pitchers should be locks to remain on the active roster the entire 2019 season barring injury.

Wright has been out of options for two seasons. He’s a lock to make the Opening Day roster if healthy. Hembree and Johnson both ran out of options for the first time in 2017.

Thornburg used his three minor league options in 2012, ’13 and ’15. So he was without minor league options when Boston traded for him at the 2015 Winter Meetings. But only now does it really affect him. He missed all of 2016 because of surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He then struggled after returning this past July. He posted a 5.63 ERA in 24 innings.

He has to make the club out of spring training for his $1.75 million contract to be guaranteed. The Red Sox have the ability to cut him before Opening Day without having his money count against the Competitive Balance Tax. If he makes the team, he can’t be sent to Triple-A Pawtucket during the season to work on any struggles there. His $1.75 million would count against the Competitive Balance Tax if the Red Sox designated him for assignment during the season.

Same goes for all arbitration players. None of their contracts are guaranteed until they make the Opening Day 40-man roster. Wright, Hembree, Johnson, Thornburg and Workman are all arbitration-eligible players.

Thornburg, and maybe even Workman, must prove something during spring training to make the team. The one problem: Thornburg historically hasn’t pitched well during spring training with a career 6.79 ERA in 33 outings (54.1 innings). The Red Sox will need to look beyond the numbers.

“We’re also in a position where there are battles for spots in the spring," Dave Dombrowski said during the Winter Meetings. "So I’m sure he needs to show us something. Hopefully, he will. We think he will.”

Players with more than five years of service cannot be optioned without their permission even if they have options remaining. Players with options and less than five years of service must accept the option.

Players with less than five years of service time on Red Sox 40-man roster:

Red Sox with 0 options remaining: Brandon Workman, Steven Wright, Heath Hembree, Brian Johnson, Sandy Leon, Christian Vazquez, Blake Swihart, (Tyler Thornburg has just over 5 years of service time)

Red Sox with 1 option remaining: Marco Hernandez, Marcus Walden, Eduardo Rodriguez, Tzu-Wei Lin, Sam Travis, Jackie Bradley Jr.

Red Sox with 2 options remaining: Mookie Betts, Chandler Shepherd, Colten Brewer, Bobby Poyner, Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Hector Velazquez.

Red Sox with 3 options remaining: Rafael Devers, Darwinzon Hernandez, Travis Lakins, Josh Taylor, Denyi Reyes, Michael Chavis, Andrew Benintendi.