Feb 18, 2025; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) participates in media day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Rafael Devers Ends DH Standoff, Willing To Play Wherever Team Needs

"I'm good to do whatever they want me to do"

Feb 18, 2025; Lee County, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) participates in media day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

“Third base is my position,” Rafael Devers said then.

Rafael Devers has finally let go of the designated hitter standoff. A month ago, Rafael Devers made it clear – third base was his spot. But after some back-and-forth and the reality of Boston’s offseason moves sinking in, the three-time All-Star is now taking a different stance: whatever the team needs, he’s ready to do.

Devers told reporters Thursday that he’s open to moving to DH if that’s what the Red Sox want, a major shift from his earlier resistance after the team signed Alex Bregman in free agency. Bregman, a two-time Gold Glover, immediately became the team’s best defensive option at third, making a Devers shift feel inevitable, even if he wasn’t thrilled about it.

Rafael Devers spoke with reporters today and is now open to being the Red Sox DH after being adamant that third base was his position earlier in the spring

Quote via @IanMBrowne pic.twitter.com/SWT5lJUOvc
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 13, 2025

“I’m here to help,” Rafael Devers said through his interpreter, via The Athletic. “I’ve already spoken with them about that and they know where I stand, but I’m just ready to play.”

The conversation with manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow happened a few weeks ago. And while it may have taken some time, Devers’ tune has changed.

Will Rafael Devers Be Ready for MLB Opening Day?

Devers has yet to appear in an official spring training game, though he was originally scheduled to play Tuesday before being pushed back to the weekend. He’s been dealing with soreness in both shoulders, an issue that nagged him last season, and has been focused on strengthening them ahead of Opening Day.

ALSO READ: MLB’s most bizarre trade rumor yet: Mike Trout and Rafael Devers swap teams

But he did step into the box for an intrasquad game Thursday in Fort Myers, Florida, and blasted a home run off new Red Sox starter Walker Buehler.

I have SORELY missed Rafael Devers homers. 2 weeks. pic.twitter.com/ldhUUnxoDk
— Red Seat Radio (@redseatradio) March 13, 2025

It looks like Devers will be ready to go when Boston opens its season on March 27 against the Texas Rangers. Where he’ll be playing in the field – or if he’ll be playing in the field at all – might still be up for debate.

Alex Bregman

Rafael Devers

Red Sox

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.