Rafael Devers Firm on DH Role Amid Red Sox First Base Dilemma
BOSTON (AP) — With the Boston Red Sox reeling from the loss of first baseman Triston Casas for the season, all eyes turned to Rafael Devers as a potential replacement. However, the three-time All-Star made it clear this week: he’s the team’s designated hitter, and he has no intention of switching positions again.
Devers, who homered and drove in two runs during Boston’s 5–0 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday, spoke candidly with reporters about the situation. It was his first public comment since Casas underwent season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left knee.
“They came to me and talked to me about it,” Devers said. “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.”
The Red Sox had already asked Devers to make a major change during spring training when they signed Alex Bregman to take over at third base, shifting Devers to a full-time DH role. According to Devers, the team told him to “put away the glove,” signaling that his days playing the field were over—something he accepted at the time.
Now, with a void at first base, Red Sox management reportedly revisited the idea of Devers returning to the field to fill the gap. But the 27-year-old slugger sees that as a step backward.
“I don’t think it would be an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position,” Devers said. “They put me in this situation. They told me they didn’t want me to play any other positions.”
Currently, Boston is using a platoon of Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base. Though not ideal, Devers believes it’s management’s responsibility—not his—to address the roster need.
He even offered a bit of tough love to Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, a former MLB pitcher and 2013 World Series champion.
“Now, they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player,” Devers said. “Next thing you know, someone in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield.”
Devers also expressed frustration at what he sees as inconsistency from team leadership. “They told me I was going to play this position, DH. Now they’re going back on that,” he said.
With Devers standing firm, the Red Sox front office will have to look elsewhere to patch their first base hole.