Rafael Devers has declined the Boston Red Sox\'s request to play first base following Triston Casas\' season-ending knee injury. The three-time All-Star, who was moved from third base to designated hitter in spring training, expressed frustration with management\'s proposal.
\"They came to me and talked to me about it,\" Devers said after Thursday\'s 5-0 win over Texas, where he homered and drove in two runs. \"I know I\'m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can\'t expect me to play every single position out there.\"
Devers revealed he spoke directly with Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow about the potential position change. Boston currently employs a platoon of Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base.
\"He [Breslow] played ball. I would like to think that he knows that changing positions isn\'t easy,\" Devers said through team interpreter Daveson Perez. \"They put me in this situation. They told me they didn\'t want me to play any other positions.\"
The slugger directed pointed comments toward the front office, suggesting they should seek external solutions rather than asking him to adapt again.
\"Now, they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player,\" Devers stated. \"I\'m not sure why they want me to be an in-between.\"
Devers was moved to DH during spring training after Boston signed Alex Bregman to play third base. When asked if he might reconsider his position if the current first basemen struggle, Devers remained firm in his stance.
\"They told me that I\'m a little hard-headed, but they already asked me to change [positions] once. This time, I don\'t think I can be as flexible,\" Devers said. \"I don\'t feel they stayed true to their word. They told me I was going to play this position, DH. Now they\'re going back on that.\"
Devers is hitting .255 with six homers and an OPS of .834 in 145 at bats so far in 2025.
Via ESPN
