Red Sox Players Address Devers, First Base Uncertainty After Injury

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Boston Red Sox began a three-game series against the Kansas City Royals, discussions surrounding Rafael Devers and his potential position change were at the forefront. Veteran leader Trevor Story acknowledged the urgency of the matter.

On Friday, Story told MassLive‘s Chris Cotillo, “We’re all adults here and everyone can have their own opinion. Raffy expressed that. I think, obviously, he felt a little frustrated with the way things were handled.” Devers recently revealed that the Red Sox asked him about playing first base following Triston Casas‘ season-ending knee injury, but he expressed a reluctance to do so.

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, along with team president Sam Kennedy and principal owner John Henry, visited the clubhouse to address the situation directly. Breslow said he hadn’t spent much time in the clubhouse and that reactions were varied.

Story noted that while some players may feel Devers has been mistreated, others might view his reluctance to change positions as not prioritizing team success. “Whatever it takes to do that. And the same with Raffy, same with everybody here on the same page,” Story said, emphasizing the team’s goal of winning games.

Devers’ transition from third base to DH had already been a significant change, prompting debate on whether asking him to move to first base would disrupt his progress. “I don’t think it’s as easy as everyone makes it out to be. It’s a challenging position,” Story remarked.

With Devers’ position still in limbo, short-term solutions have emerged. Romy González and Abraham Toro will share duties at first base for now. González is known for his ability on base but has limited experience at first, while Toro adds utility experience.

Despite internal discussions, the Red Sox may explore external options for first base help. Ideas include promoting players from their minor league system, with prospects like Marcelo Mayer being considered due to their performance in Triple-A.

As the Red Sox navigate this situation, specific adjustments to their lineup will need to be carefully planned out to ensure that team success remains the primary focus. With the MLB season underway, the next steps taken by the organization could significantly impact their performance.