NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Red Sox have taken it slow with Rafael Devers so far this spring after he suffered injuries to both shoulders in 2024.
But he is scheduled to hit in a live batting practice session for the first time Wednesday (tomorrow). Boston also is shooting for him to play in his first spring training next week.
“We’re shooting for next week. Wednesday,” manager Alex Cora said Tuesday at CoolToday Park.
The Red Sox host the Rays at JetBlue Park next Wednesday.
“Things have been progressing well,” Devers told MassLive’s Chris Cotillo through translator Daveson Perez back in Fort Myers on Tuesday. “I’ve been feeling pretty good. If everything continues how it’s going, I can be in games really soon. Maybe about a week.”
Cora said the Red Sox have not yet made any decisions on whether Devers will be the starting third baseman or DH this year.
Vaughn Grissom and Kristian Campbell, who Baseball America ranks the No. 4 on its Top 100 list, both are competing for the starting second base job. If one of them wins it, Alex Bregman likely would start at third base and Devers would be the DH.
“We’re preparing Raffy to play third base,” Cora said. “That’s part of the progression. He’ll DH here and there.”
Cora said he’s unsure yet whether Devers will DH or play third next Wednesday.
“But we’ll get him reps (at third),” Cora said. “I think people are making decisions already and we haven’t made decisions. But we’ll keep talking to him and we’ll keep talking to Alex (Bregman). There’s a lot of things going on at second base right now. We’ve gotta find a way to get them all in.”
Devers has been adamant that he won’t be the full-time DH if the Red Sox ask him to do it. He said he only wants to play third base.
“He feels he’s the third baseman,” Cora said. “We’ve seen him (do it) before. So he’s preparing to play third baseman.”
Cora said there has been no talk about Devers playing any other positions other than third or DH.
Cora said Devers has hit off the Trajekt machine (which simulates major league pitchers) the past four days.
“And they say he looks amazing,” Cora said. “I saw him on the field today. Just working on a few things. Trying to pull the ball. … Last year, he struggled after Colorado to get to the pitch inside. He’s working on that, trying to get that feeling. So he looks good.”
Cora said Devers has been working closely with infield instructor Jose Flores.
“Thankfully, those injuries are gone,” Devers said. “I’m doing my work, I’m throwing across the diamond. I’m doing everything I normally would be doing.”
Bregman also has helped Devers defensively.
“Alex has actually helped him. He gave him a cue to help him defensively, which he has made the adjustment,” Cora said. “He’s in a good place. Joined us this week while we are on the road. Did drills with the team and all that stuff. He did BP outside today. So we’re shooting for next week. It would be fun to have the big boy in the lineup.”
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