Sports

Is Rafael Devers coping with a nagging harm? Alex Cora affords cryptic replace on Crimson Sox star

Crimson Sox

Over his final 13 video games, Devers is batting simply .180 (9-for-50) with 5 RBI, three extra-base hits, and 13 strikeouts.

Rafael Devers is batting beneath .200 over his final 13 video games. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Employees

The Crimson Sox have been mired in a 5-10 hunch during the last three weeks.

And whereas there’s not one overarching purpose for Boston’s slide within the standings, Rafael Devers’ struggles on the plate have definitely performed into the Sox’ woes just lately.

After signing a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with Boston this previous offseason, Devers is tied for fourth in MLB with 49 RBI. However the 26-year-old third baseman can also be batting simply .241 with a .774 OPS.

Might Devers’ latest points on the plate be as a consequence of an harm? Throughout his weekly look on WEEI’s “Gresh & Fauria”, Alex Cora provided up a cryptic response concerning the well being of Boston’s franchise infielder. 

“Raffy’s going to play 162 video games, and other people don’t know what’s occurring within the background,” Cora stated when requested about Devers’ gradual run to first on a double-play sequence towards the Rays on Monday. “You don’t know if he’s just a little banged up or if he’s really one hundred pc. So for folks to guage it that method, I feel it’s not the best factor to do as a result of not all people is aware of his story.

“Possibly he’s one hundred pc, possibly he’s not. We maintain it within the clubhouse with that, we let folks decide no matter they need, and we transfer ahead.”

When pressed about whether or not or not Devers is coping with one thing past only a hunch on the plate, Cora didn’t budge.

“Possibly, possibly not,” Cora stated of a possible harm with Devers. “However like I stated, persons are going to take the staff conferences the way in which they need to, and so they’re going to say, ‘Oh they’re not hustling, they’re not enjoying good baseball.’ I don’t know. From my finish, I’m good with the hassle, the child is enjoying day by day, so we go from there.”

A nagging concern for Devers would not less than clarify the latest dip in his normally spectacular manufacturing on the dish. However any potential harm could be one other main hit for a Crimson Sox staff that has been bitten by the harm bug time and time once more in 2023.

Whereas outfielder Adam Duvall may make his return to the lineup in New York this weekend after lacking shut to 2 months with a fractured wrist, the Sox are nonetheless ready for Trevor Story to return from offseason elbow surgical procedure.