]

UPDATE: “He’s the DH of the Boston Red Sox” – Alex Cora says Rafael Devers won’t play 3B for the Red Sox on Alex Bregman’s off days. nhathung

Rafael Devers’s role with the Red Sox has undergone a significant transformation since Alex Bregman joined the team on February 12. Once Boston’s primary third baseman since his MLB debut in 2017, Devers has now fully transitioned to the designated hitter role. Manager Alex Cora stated that Devers will not take the field, even if Bregman has an off day.

How Reducing His Strikeouts Made Rafael Devers a Worse Hitter in August |  Baseball Prospectus

“Devers is the DH of the Boston Red Sox,” Cora told reporters before Friday’s matchup against the Rangers, as noted by MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. Cora mentioned that Romy Gonzalez will serve as Bregman’s backup at third base this season.

Cotillo further clarified that the decision for Devers not to play in the field was made by the team and not due to any refusal on the player’s part. Before this season, Devers had played 951 games at third base and had been the designated hitter only 22 times before Opening Day. Until recently, both Cora and Devers recognized the player as the team’s third baseman. At the Fenway Fest on January 11, Cora emphatically identified Devers’s position to NESN’s Tom Caron.

Alex Bregman makes feelings clear on Rafael Devers after Boston Red Sox  refusal - The Mirror US

“Raffy Devers is our third baseman,” Cora stated. “Alex was a Gold Glover at third base, and we all know that. … I always thought of Alex as a Gold Glove second baseman.” However, on February 17, shortly after Bregman signed with Boston, Devers dismissed the notion of becoming the team’s designated hitter. “Third base is my position,” Devers asserted during spring training. “It’s what I’ve played. I don’t know what their plans are.

We’ve had a conversation, and I made my preferences clear, but whatever happens from here, I’m not sure.” Less than a month later, his position shifted. Devers expressed his willingness to comply with the team’s requests. “We’ve already talked, and I’m ready to do whatever they need,” Devers said. “I’m here to help. I’ve already discussed this with them, and they know my position, but I’m prepared to play.” There is room to question whether Devers is entirely content with his new role this season.

MLB news: Red Sox tip hand at Rafael Devers' position to start season | Fox  News

He has consistently mentioned that he extended his contract with Boston to remain a third baseman throughout its duration. He even practiced at the position alongside Bregman well into spring training. According to Cotillo, Devers has been taking ground balls before each of the Red Sox’s games in Texas.

It’s a complicated scenario considering Cora noted two months ago that Bregman could have played second base, allowing Devers to remain at third. However, Boston was sufficiently impressed with Kristian Campbell’s performance in the minor leagues last season and in spring training, which led the organization to include him on the Opening Day roster starting at second base, placing Bregman at third and Devers as the designated hitter.

These decisions undeniably strengthen the team’s offensive and defensive capabilities on paper compared to last season. The additions of Bregman and Campbell, along with Devers focusing solely on batting, enhance the team. It’s a risky yet potentially rewarding strategy, but the Red Sox appear willing to take these steps to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. This approach may be messy, but it’s certainly a path they’re choosing.

Related Posts

BREAKING: Dolрhins trаde lаnds rookie QB to bаttle Shedeur Sаnders. -CRISS

The Miаmi Dolрhiпs аre пot iп the mаrket for а stаrtiпg qυаrterbаck, bυt did iпfυse some comрetitioп iпto the bаckυр job by drаftiпg а rookie qυаrterbаck who wаs oпce…

“MONEY CAN’T BUY ME!” – Detroit Lions star Jared Goff turned down a $10 million offer from Elon Musk to join the Tesla Team. This bold and principled decision not only stunned the media but also caused an unexpected reaction from Musk. – criss

Iп a sυrprisiпg twist that blυrred the liпes betweeп professioпal sports aпd high-tech bυsiпess, Jared Goff, qυarterback of the Detroit Lioпs, reportedly tυrпed dowп a $10 millioп eпdorsemeпt aпd collaboratioп…

BREAKING: Prominent LGBT billionaire Tim Cook offered George Kittle $200 million and an 49ers sponsorship for the 2025 season if he would make an openly pro-LGBT ad forever, in response George Kittle said just 1 sentence that left the entire NFL speechless…-CRISS

Iп a stυппiпg tυrп of eveпts that’s seпdiпg shockwaves across the NFL aпd social media platforms worldwide, reports have sυrfaced that Apple CEO aпd promiпeпt LGBT billioпaire Tim…

BREAKING: The Detroit Lions have been officially recognized as the best and most unified football program in the world, a title jointly awarded by ESPN, Netflix and Guinness World Records. -CRISS

Iп a historic aпd υпprecedeпted aппoυпcemeпt, the Detroit Lioпs have beeп officially recogпized as the best aпd most υпified football program iп the world. The prestigioυs hoпor was…

49ers Star George Kittle Reportedly Rejects $10 Million Offer From Elon Musk To Join Tesla Initiative — Cites Personal Values Over Fortune, Prompting Surprising Reaction From Tech Billionaire. – CRIISS

“MONEY CAN’T BUY ME!” – 49ERS star George Kittle tυrпed dowп a $10 millioп offer from Eloп Mυsk to joiп the Tesla Team. This bold aпd priпcipled…

SHOCK: Aidan Hutchinson Quietly Gives a Large Sum of Money and a “Special Gift” to a Pregnant Black Woman at a Gas Station — No Cameras, Just Tears and Kindness! -CRISS

Iп a toυchiпg aпd υпexpected momeпt, Detroit Lioпs star Aidaп Hυtchiпsoп qυietly gave a large sυm of moпey aпd a special gift to a pregпaпt Black womaп…