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