Rafael Devers

Fantasy News

• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Officially named DH by Cora

  Rotowire Mar 26, 2025

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday on the WEEI Sports Radio Network that Devers will be the team's designated hitter this season. It's been clear for a while that Devers was going to be the DH, but this is the first time Cora has officially made the declaration. Alex Bregman will man Devers' former position at third base. Devers has never been a full-time DH before, and some players can have trouble adjusting to the role, but the 28-year-old is a good bet to remain highly productive with the bat as long as the shoulder problems he dealt with last season don't flare up again.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Won't play third base this spring

  Rotowire Mar 19, 2025

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that it's very unlikely Devers will play third base before the end of spring training, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. Cora still hasn't officially announced that Alex Bregman will be his third baseman and Devers will be his designated hitter this season, but that will be the setup for the foreseeable future with Devers unable to play the field. Devers has just two games under his belt this spring, as he's been working on getting his timing down at the plate following last season's shoulder issues.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Making spring debut Saturday

  Rotowire Mar 15, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) is batting second as the designated hitter in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. It's the first official appearance of spring training for Devers, who was built up slowly during the first half of camp after his shoulder problems last year. The 28-year-old appears set to begin the season as Boston's primary designated hitter, as he said Thursday he's OK with being utilized that way after previously indicating that he was unwilling to move off third base. That development will allow Alex Bregman to step in at the hot corner after signing a deal worth up to $120 million in February, though the Red Sox haven't officially announced their plans on who will play where.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Now says he's willing to DH

  Rotowire Mar 13, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) said Thursday that he is OK with being a designated hitter if that's where the Red Sox choose to use him, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Devers was speaking publicly for the first time since telling reporters in mid-February that he was a third baseman and was unwilling to be a DH. The 28-year-old has spoken with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow since then, and while he wanted to keep the details of that conversation to himself, he now appears amendable to serving as the team's DH. The Red Sox have not yet announced a decision on where Devers or Alex Bregman will play, but all signs point to Devers indeed being the DH while Bregman handles third base. Devers homered during a simulated game Thursday and is expected to finally make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday against Atlanta.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Set to play in sim game

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2025

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that he expects Devers (shoulders) to take at-bats during a simulated game Thursday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. If all goes well in the sim game, Devers could be cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus Atlanta. Devers appears to be further away from taking part in full defensive drills at third base, making it likelier by the day that he'll be limited to a designated-hitter duties to begin the 2025 campaign. If that's the case, Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) would presumably open the season on the injured list, as he's been making starts at DH this spring but has yet to complete his throwing progression and could be weeks away from being ready to play the corner outfield.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Likely to begin season at DH

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) is "increasingly likely" to open the season as Boston's designated hitter, with Alex Bregman playing third base, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Devers hasn't made his Grapefruit League debut yet and all of Bregman's action this spring has come at third base. So, while manager Alex Cora has declined to address the situation, it's pretty clear where this is headed. Devers is currently slated to make his spring debut Saturday, although his debut has already been pushed back multiple times as he works on his swing mechanics that were thrown off by last year's shoulder problems.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Spring debut pushed back again

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2025

  Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Devers (shoulders) is now slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Saturday versus Atlanta, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. The initial plan called for Devers to make his spring debut March 5, but that's now been pushed back twice. Instead, he will face Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler on the back fields on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, before making his first official game appearance Saturday. That gives Devers just over a week's worth of games to get ready for Opening Day. The Red Sox have not indicated any worry about how Devers is doing physically following last year's shoulder problems, pointing to him simply working on getting his timing down. Still, it's an atypical situation that raises red flags.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: On track for Wednesday debut

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday versus the Twins, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. The Red Sox have been proceeding slowly with Devers as he builds up strength in both of his shoulders. Assuming he plays Wednesday, he will have plenty of time to get ready for the March 27 season opener versus the Rangers, but the question remains as to whether he'll play third base or serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter on Opening Day. Devers made it clear earlier in camp that he views himself as Boston's third baseman, even after the team signed Alex Bregman.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Aiming to debut next week

  Rotowire Mar 7, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) is targeting Tuesday or Wednesday for his Grapefruit League debut, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. That would be about a week after his originally scheduled spring debut, as Devers has been working on getting his timing down in live batting practice before testing things out in a game. He's been brought along slowly in camp due to last season's shoulder problems, but he doesn't seem to have had any physical setbacks. While Devers will have less than two weeks of spring games to prep for Opening Day, it doesn't appear his availability for that March 27 contest versus the Rangers is in danger.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Not ready for spring debut yet

  Rotowire Mar 4, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) will not make his Grapefruit League debut Wednesday against the Rays as initially anticipated, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Devers has been slow-played this spring following last season's shoulder issues and doesn't feel up to speed yet while taking live batting practice, so he has asked Red Sox manager Alex Cora to delay his spring debut a bit. This seems to be more about Devers wanting to get his timing down and not any kind of physical setback, but the potential red flags are starting to pile up this spring with the 28-year-old.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Could start season at DH

  Rotowire Feb 28, 2025

  Devers (shoulders) could begin the season as Boston's designated hitter, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. In his Opening Day roster projection, Cotillo predicts that Devers will be the DH for the Red Sox, while Alex Bregman will play third base and Kristian Campbell will be at second base. Devers made it clear earlier this month that he wanted to remain at third base, indicating an unwillingness to become a full-time DH. However, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have both suggested that a position shift is coming for Devers. The 28-year-old has been brought along slowly this spring as he works his way back from last season's shoulder problems, but Devers is aiming to make his Grapefruit League debut March 5.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Slated for game action next week

  Rotowire Feb 25, 2025

  The Red Sox are aiming for Devers (shoulder) to play his first spring game March 5, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "We are preparing him to play third base," manager Alex Cora said. "That's part of the progression. He'll DH here and there. I don't know if it March [5], he'll play third, but we'll get him reps. I think people are making decisions already, and we haven't made decisions." Cora said Alex Bregman will play second base during spring training. Devers has been doing separate infield and cage work away from other Red Sox players as he continues to build up strength following last year's shoulder injuries.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Still building up shoulder strength

  Rotowire Feb 19, 2025

  Devers has been doing separate infield and cage work away from other Red Sox players as he continues to build up strength following last year's shoulder injuries, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Devers had problems with both shoulders during the 2024 season, although his left (non-throwing) shoulder was considered to be the bigger issue. He avoided surgery but is being eased into action this spring. Devers is expected to begin regular workouts with the team next week, and if that happens as scheduled, injury concerns should dissipate. However, if he's delayed, it will be time to raise a red flag. Earlier this week, Devers expressed an unwillingness to move off third base this season to accommodate Alex Bregman, but the 28-year-old could wind up at designated hitter even if that's not his preference.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Expresses unwillingness to DH

  Rotowire Feb 17, 2025

  Devers said Monday that he views himself as a third baseman and would be unwilling to serve as a designated hitter in 2025, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. "Third base is my position. I don't know what [the team's] plans are. I made it clear my desires and whatever happens, we'll see," Devers said through a translator. Devers has made 942 of his 951 career MLB starts at third base, but his poor defense at the hot corner had already called into question his long-term future at the position, and the Red Sox's signing of Alex Bregman last week has only further fueled the notion that Boston is looking to move Devers off third base. Manager Alex Cora has yet to make any formal pronouncements about the makeup of the Boston infield for 2025, as the possibility exists that Bregman could be used at second base to keep Devers at his normal position. However, prospect Kristian Campbell has worked out exclusively at the keystone so far during camp and could eventually settle in as a full-time regular at the position whenever Boston deems him big-league ready. Whether he stays at third base or is eventually asked to move to DH or first base, Devers should retain a spot in the heart of the Red Sox lineup, coming off a 2024 season in which he hit. 272 with 28 home runs, 83 RBI and 87 runs over 138 games.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Could be impacted by Bregman

  Rotowire Feb 13, 2025

  Boston's acquisition of Alex Bregman could impact Devers, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. If Bregman becomes Boston's primary third baseman, then Devers would likely shift to designated hitter or first base. While the Bregman deal is not yet official -- it should be in the coming days -- speculation as to how Bregman fits has begun. The easiest path is having Bregman play second base while Devers remains at third; however, Bregman was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2024 and is a better defender than Devers. One scenario involves Boston deploying its best defender at third base, Bregman, and moving Devers to designated hitter or potentially first base. The club has approached Devers about a hypothetical position switch. To make moving Devers feasible, given the current roster alignment, the Red Sox may look to move Masataka Yoshida or Triston Casas.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Still at third base 'as of now'

  Rotowire Dec 30, 2024

  Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said Monday that Devers is the team's third baseman "as of now," Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. The "as of now" part is the takeaway here. It's been reported that Boston has considered shifting Devers to first base, and that seems to still be in play if the club makes an outside addition at third base. The Red Sox have been connected to Alex Bregman via free agency and Nolan Arenado via trade this offseason.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Position switch being discussed

  Rotowire Nov 25, 2024

  The Red Sox have had internal discussions about moving Devers off third base, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports. Devers battled through lingering issues with both shoulders during the 2024 season and again graded out poorly defensively at third base with a minus-six Outs Above Average rating. If the Red Sox do ultimately decide to shift him away from the hot corner, they would likely have both Devers and Triston Casas bounce back-and-forth between first base and designated hitter. Third base would then be filled by a free agent or trade acquisition, with Boston being connected to Alex Bregman, Willy Adames and Nolan Arenado. Finding a taker for Masataka Yoshida's contract is also part of the equation.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Will not require shoulder surgery

  Rotowire Sep 22, 2024

  Devers will not require offseason surgery after MRIs on both shoulders revealed inflammation, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports. Though he has had problems with both shoulders for a large chunk of the season, Devers' left (non-throwing) shoulder is considered to be the bigger issue. Thankfully, he looks like he'll be able to make a full recovery with extended rest. Devers was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, officially ending his season.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Lands on injured list

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2024

  The Red Sox placed Devers on the 10-day injured list Saturday with left shoulder inflammation, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Devers received an MRI on both of his shoulders Saturday and will officially land on the IL with a left shoulder issue, even though manager Alex Cora said Friday that the third baseman's right shoulder was the main concern. Either way, his move to the injured list will officially put an early end to his season. Romy Gonzalez and Nick Sogard will split reps at third base the rest of the way, and Mickey Gasper will come up from Triple-A Worcester to fill the open spot on the active roster.

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• Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Likely done for season

  Rotowire Sep 20, 2024

  Manager Alex Cora said that Devers injured his right shoulder Friday and will most likely be shut down for the remainder of the season, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports. Cora added that Devers suffered the injury while taking swings in a cage right before Friday's game versus Minnesota, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Despite his bad shoulder, the 27-year-old still played Friday, going 1-for-4 with a walk and three strikeouts before being replaced in the infield by Vaughn Grissom in the 11th inning. Devers is slated to receive an MRI on Saturday, though it seems he won't play another game in 2024 no matter what the results are. He'll finish the season with a .272/.354/.516 slash line alongside 28 home runs and 83 RBI, and Nick Sogard could take over as Boston's primary third baseman for the final eight games of the season.

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