Rafael Devers offers encouraging injury update after missing Red Sox’ loss to Mariners
Devers won't be heading to the injured list and might not miss any extra games.
The Red Sox missed Rafael Devers on Friday, falling to the Mariners, 1-0, as he was a late scratch from the lineup due to a shoulder injury. Luckily for them, it doesn’t seem like their star slugger will be out for long.
Devers indicated that he could be back in the Red Sox’ lineup Saturday, as he detailed his injury situation to reporters.
“I feel a little bit of soreness in my shoulder,” Devers told reporters through team translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “It’s early in the season so we’ve got to be smart about that. And it’s better to take one or two days than play through and then miss two or three weeks.
“I think if I feel better, there’s a good chance I’ll play tomorrow,” Devers added.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora also told reporters that there’s a chance Devers could play Saturday, explaining that he dealt with soreness throughout the day Friday.
“Just sore. During [batting practice] kind of like stiff, sore. He didn’t feel great throughout the day,” Cora said. “He got some treatment, he gave it a push and it didn’t work out. We have to be smart about it. He’s day to day.
“He’ll come in tomorrow,” Cora added. “Hopefully, he’s ready to go. And if that’s not the case, we’ll wait one more day.”
While the Red Sox were optimistic that it’s a very short-term injury for Devers, it has been a lingering issue for the third baseman. Devers shared that he’s been dealing with shoulder soreness since spring training, saying “the pain wasn’t that big” at first but felt he had to his pause on Friday.
“It started in Fort Myers,” Devers said. “I think it was getting worse and worse and yesterday I felt it a little bit. And today at batting practice I felt it a little bit more. And I wanted just to be smart and I stopped.
“I was able to handle it and play with it,” Devers added. “But playing with that pain, it was getting worse and worse and worse until the point that I decided to stop.”
Devers had a strong Opening Day, going 2-for-5 with a two-run homer to lift the Red Sox over the Mariners, 6-4, and give Cora his first-ever Opening Day win. The 27-year-old was still one of the best third basemen in baseball last year, hitting .271/.351/.500 with 33 homers and 100 RBIs in 153 games.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com