{"id":36957,"date":"2025-02-26T00:40:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T00:40:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=36957"},"modified":"2025-02-26T00:40:54","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T00:40:54","slug":"red-sox-shooting-for-rafael-devers-the-big-boy-to-play-next-wednesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=36957","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox \u2018shooting for\u2019 Rafael Devers (\u2018the big boy\u2019) to play next Wednesday"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

NORTH PORT, Fla. \u2014 The Red Sox have taken it slow with Rafael Devers so far this spring after he suffered injuries to both shoulders in 2024.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re shooting for next week. Wednesday,\u201d manager Alex Cora said Tuesday at CoolToday Park.<\/p>\n

The Red Sox host the Rays at JetBlue Park next Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings have been progressing well,\u201d Devers told MassLive\u2019s Chris Cotillo through translator Daveson Perez back in Fort Myers on Tuesday. \u201cI\u2019ve been feeling pretty good. If everything continues how it\u2019s going, I can be in games really soon. Maybe about a week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cora said the Red Sox have not yet made any decisions on whether Devers will be the starting third baseman or DH this year.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re preparing Raffy to play third base,\u201d Cora said. \u201cThat\u2019s part of the progression. He\u2019ll DH here and there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cora said he\u2019s unsure yet whether Devers will DH or play third next Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we\u2019ll get him reps (at third),\u201d Cora said. \u201cI think people are making decisions already and we haven\u2019t made decisions. But we\u2019ll keep talking to him and we\u2019ll keep talking to Alex (Bregman). There\u2019s a lot of things going on at second base right now. We\u2019ve gotta find a way to get them all in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Devers has been adamant that he won\u2019t be the full-time DH if the Red Sox ask him to do it. He said he only wants to play third base.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe feels he\u2019s the third baseman,\u201d Cora said. \u201cWe\u2019ve seen him (do it) before. So he\u2019s preparing to play third baseman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cora said there has been no talk about Devers playing any other positions other than third or DH.<\/p>\n

Cora said Devers has hit off the Trajekt machine (which simulates major league pitchers) the past four days.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they say he looks amazing,\u201d Cora said. \u201cI 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\u2019s working on that, trying to get that feeling. So he looks good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cora said Devers has been working closely with infield instructor Jose Flores.<\/p>\n

\u201cThankfully, those injuries are gone,\u201d Devers said. \u201cI\u2019m doing my work, I\u2019m throwing across the diamond. I\u2019m doing everything I normally would be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bregman also has helped Devers defensively.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlex has actually helped him. He gave him a cue to help him defensively, which he has made the adjustment,\u201d Cora said. \u201cHe\u2019s 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\u2019re shooting for next week. It would be fun to have the big boy in the lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n