Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has been off to a slow start to begin the season. The power numbers haven't been there for Devers, but he was able to do some damage on Saturday. Devers opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the fifth inning. He didn't do much the rest of the game as he finished 1-for-4 with 3 RBI and a walk in the 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Devers is currently hitting under .230, but he does carry a four-game hit streak into Sunday's contest. Fantasy managers should continue to stick with Devers through this slump.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers delivered a monster afternoon for the Red Sox on Sunday during their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. In game one of the afternoon, he ripped his first home run of the year in the fifth inning of right-hander Andre Pallante to give the Red Sox a one-run lead, and drew a game-tying walk in the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings to help the Red Sox win game one 5-4. In game one, Devers went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Since the 0-for-19 start to his season, Devers has boosted his slash line to .263/.404/.421 and has put to rest any concerns about his role being switched to designated hitter. He will look to stay hot as the Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for a four-game series.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers has been in a horrible slump to begin the season. He was hitless coming into Wednesday's game. Devers also became the first player in MLB history to strike out at the plate 15 times over the first five games of the season. Devers finally delivered at the plate with a run-scoring double in the fifth inning. He'd finish his day with two hits and an RBI in what ended up being a 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Devers is too talented at the plate to continue being in this slump for too long. Hopefully fantasy managers will get many more two-hit performances from Devers soon.
Rafael Devers Will Open Season As Designated Hitter
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted on Wednesday that third baseman Rafael Devers will open the 2025 regular season as the team's regular designated hitter. "Alex Bregman is going to play third, Raffy's going to DH. We all are in the winning business. He understands that," Cora said. Devers said earlier this spring that he had no plans to DH and wanted to remain at third base despite battling through injuries to both of his shoulders in 2024 that kept him from swinging a bat until the start of spring training. Everything changed when the BoSox signed Bregman in free agency. With Devers at DH full time, Bregman will play the hot corner, giving prospect Kristian Campbell the runway to impress at second base. The 28-year-old Devers will still have 3B eligibility in fantasy this year, but that might not be the case in 2026, which would drastically affect his fantasy value.
Rafael Devers Unlikely To Play Third Base Before End Of Spring Training
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is very unlikely to play third base before the end of spring training, according to manager Alex Cora. Devers dealt with injuries to both of his shoulders last year and didn't resume swinging until the start of spring training, which resulted in him not making his Grapefruit League debut until just last weekend. Additionally, the BoSox signed third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason, which makes Devers' move to more of a full-time role as the designated hitter more probable, even if Boston has yet to announce it. Not only is Bregman the better defender at the hot corner, but using Bregman at third and Devers at DH will open up a spot for prospect Kristian Campbell at second base. Devers is still a starting third baseman in all fantasy leagues, but it's possible that he could lose 3B eligibility going into 2026.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) and outfielder Wilyer Abreu (illness) are in the starting lineup on Saturday. Devers will be the DH and bat in the two-hole while Abreu will cover right field and bat eighth. Devers has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout most of camp. There have been reports that he could begin the season exclusively as a designated hitter. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but seeing him return to the starting lineup is a positive sign. Abreu battled an illness throughout camp and even lost some weight as a result. The team may opt to increase his workload slowly during the remainder of camp to ensure he is ready for Opening Day. During the regular season, Devers will likely see time at the hot corner and at DH while Abreu will see most of his starts in right field.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) said he will be fine if the team wants him to serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day. "I don't make those decisions," Devers said after talking to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora a few weeks ago. The 28-year-old has changed his tune after saying on Feb. 17 that "third base is my position. I play third." Devers is finally scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday after working on his swing during spring training following issues with both of his shoulders last year. Meanwhile, new addition Alex Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman and has been at the hot corner all spring. Devers could see time at third at some point in 2025, but all signs are pointing to him opening the year as the full-time DH with Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) starting on the injured list.
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) will take part in a simulated game in camp on Thursday with right-hander Walker Buehler pitching. Devers' Grapefruit League debut has already been pushed back several times -- he's now expected to play on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves -- but he's been taking part in live batting practice sessions and will take swings against Buehler on Thursday. The 28-year-old dealt with issues in both of his shoulders last year, which is why he didn't resume swinging until the start of spring training. The Red Sox still expect Devers to be ready by Opening Day, but his lengthy delay from playing in spring games likely means he'll open the year as the team's regular designated hitter. Devers was still one of the better all-around hitters in baseball in 2024, but his shoulder issues should have fantasy managers wondering how effective he'll be in 2025.
Rafael Devers' Spring Debut Pushed Back Again, Still Expected To Be Ready
MLB.com's Ian Browne reports that Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers' (shoulders) Grapefruit League debut has once again been pushed back this week from Wednesday to Saturday. However, the team still expects him to be ready for Opening Day, and he's been taking live batting practice for more than a week. The 28-year-old has been trying to iron out his swing for the last few weeks while also making mechanical adjustments after two sore shoulders forced him into bad habits late last year. The Red Sox haven't said whether Devers will start the year at third base or at designated hitter, but all signs are pointing to the latter, especially after the team added Alex Bregman in free agency. Using Devers as the regular DH to begin the season will not only keep him healthy but allow him to continue to work on his new swing path. Devers at DH will make Masataka Yoshida the odd man out of the lineup.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) is set to make his spring debut on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. The 28-year-old has been built up slowly during camp due to his shoulder issues last season. However, the three-time All-star is on the verge of his spring debut. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on defense as the team may opt to have him serve as the designated hitter during the early part of the season. Last season, the 28-year-old appeared in 138 contests and posted a .272/.354/.516 slash line with 34 doubles and 28 home runs. He generated an elite .364 xWOBA and .509 xSLG which placed him in the 92nd and 94th percentile respectively. He will likely see most of his starts at the hot corner or as a designated hitter when he is healthy.
Rafael Devers
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Red Sox
