After a strong start to the season, the Boston Red Sox were swept in their most recent series against the Baltimore Orioles, with franchise sensation Rafael Devers missing the last game due to a shoulder injury.
According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, manager Alex Cora “did not dismiss an injury list stint” for Devers after the game, indicating the possible severity of the injury.
“The Red Sox knew this would be a tough series facing the defending American League East champions, a surging young team with talent on both sides of the ball,” he said. “However, the fact that they let two winnable games slip away added to their frustration this week. Devers may be out for a few days or more due to injuries, adding to the angst.
The Boston Red Sox might struggle without Rafael Devers in the lineup.
Without Devers, the Red Sox’s depth chart shows Pablo Reyes as the next man up at third base. However, with a career slash line of.251/.312/.356 over six big-league seasons, Reyes is a far cry from Devers at the plate, especially in terms of power. Devers has a.279/.343/.508 batting line over eight seasons, with two All-Star selections, four MVP votes, and a Silver Slugger Award.
In 38 at-bats in 2024, he has seven hits, five runs, three RBI, and two home runs.
“It goes without saying the Red Sox — already entering the season with low expectations — can’t afford to lose Devers for an extended period,” Justin Leger wrote for NBC Sports Boston. “The 27-year-old is the most fearsome hitter in the lineup and there are no appealing options on the roster to replace him.”
The Boston Red Sox will be cautious about any Rafael Devers injury.
But now that his shoulder ailment has resurfaced, the Red Sox may choose to be extra cautious with their most skilled player, who is in the second season of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with the franchise.
Devers downplayed the idea of being placed on the injured list, describing his condition as “day-to-day” following the final loss to the Orioles.
“It’s not a bad injury, so we’ll just keep working,” Devers said through a translator, according to Greg Dudek of NESN. “I don’t think it’s serious… I’ve been feeling it since spring training. But with each swing, I felt a little more and more. So, for me, I believe two or three days off will enough.”
The Red Sox have already suffered big early-season injuries, with pitcher Nick Pivetta on the injured list with an elbow issue and shortstop Trevor Story out for the season due to a shoulder injury.
Expectations may not have been high for this season, but the Red Sox cannot afford an extended absence from Devers if they hope to have a fair chance of making the playoffs.
“Let’s see how this goes. But it’s too early to grind,” Cora said, according to Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe. “He’s too important to us for him to be grinding for his swing and then making it worse.”
