Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers is expected to remain at DH even with Triston Casas (knee) expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign. Devers was shifted to a full-time role at the DH spot in spring training when the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman. However, manager Alex Cora was "very adamant" that Devers is the team's DH, according to Gabrielle Star of The Boston Herald. Through the first 34 games of the regular season, Devers has struggled at times, posting a .242/.365/.445 slash line with five home runs. However, under the hood, Devers has generated an elite .401 xwOBA, which suggests he should see positive regression. With Devers staying at DH, fantasy managers should expect Romy Gonzalez, Connor Wong, and Abraham Toro to see most of the starts at first base.

Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Rafael Devers continued to pick up the power pace in Tuesday's 10-2 win over the Blue Jays. Devers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 28-year-old clobbered a third-inning Bowden Francis off-speed pitch deep into the right-field seats for his fifth HR of the season and his third in the last four games. It has been a rough start to the season offensively for Devers, who has struggled with strikeouts and has produced little batting average and power. However, he has stepped things up recently, batting .231 with three HR and a double in his last seven games. Even that stretch is less than fantasy managers are expecting, but it is encouraging to see Devers trending in the right direction.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 2-for-6 with a home run in his team's 13-3 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Devers added a single and two runs scored while striking out twice. The veteran has had a rough go to begin 2025, but broke out of a 0-for-15 slump over the weekend with a 5-for-13 performance in their series with the Guardians. He's still making excellent contact, and severely underperforming his .260 xBA (.216), so his hot-hitting from this weekend could be the spark that sends him on an upward trajectory for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old currently holds the highest walk rate of his career (16.8%), and is impacting the ball harder than ever (95.1 MPH average exit velocity) and more often (60% hard-hit rate).

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has been off to a slow start to begin the season. The power numbers haven't been there for Devers, but he was able to do some damage on Saturday. Devers opened the scoring with a three-run home run in the fifth inning. He didn't do much the rest of the game as he finished 1-for-4 with 3 RBI and a walk in the 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Devers is currently hitting under .230, but he does carry a four-game hit streak into Sunday's contest. Fantasy managers should continue to stick with Devers through this slump.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers delivered a monster afternoon for the Red Sox on Sunday during their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals. In game one of the afternoon, he ripped his first home run of the year in the fifth inning of right-hander Andre Pallante to give the Red Sox a one-run lead, and drew a game-tying walk in the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings to help the Red Sox win game one 5-4. In game one, Devers went 1-for-4 with two RBI and one run. Since the 0-for-19 start to his season, Devers has boosted his slash line to .263/.404/.421 and has put to rest any concerns about his role being switched to designated hitter. He will look to stay hot as the Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday for a four-game series.

Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers has been in a horrible slump to begin the season. He was hitless coming into Wednesday's game. Devers also became the first player in MLB history to strike out at the plate 15 times over the first five games of the season. Devers finally delivered at the plate with a run-scoring double in the fifth inning. He'd finish his day with two hits and an RBI in what ended up being a 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Devers is too talented at the plate to continue being in this slump for too long. Hopefully fantasy managers will get many more two-hit performances from Devers soon.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted on Wednesday that third baseman Rafael Devers will open the 2025 regular season as the team's regular designated hitter. "Alex Bregman is going to play third, Raffy's going to DH. We all are in the winning business. He understands that," Cora said. Devers said earlier this spring that he had no plans to DH and wanted to remain at third base despite battling through injuries to both of his shoulders in 2024 that kept him from swinging a bat until the start of spring training. Everything changed when the BoSox signed Bregman in free agency. With Devers at DH full time, Bregman will play the hot corner, giving prospect Kristian Campbell the runway to impress at second base. The 28-year-old Devers will still have 3B eligibility in fantasy this year, but that might not be the case in 2026, which would drastically affect his fantasy value.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is very unlikely to play third base before the end of spring training, according to manager Alex Cora. Devers dealt with injuries to both of his shoulders last year and didn't resume swinging until the start of spring training, which resulted in him not making his Grapefruit League debut until just last weekend. Additionally, the BoSox signed third baseman Alex Bregman in the offseason, which makes Devers' move to more of a full-time role as the designated hitter more probable, even if Boston has yet to announce it. Not only is Bregman the better defender at the hot corner, but using Bregman at third and Devers at DH will open up a spot for prospect Kristian Campbell at second base. Devers is still a starting third baseman in all fantasy leagues, but it's possible that he could lose 3B eligibility going into 2026.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) and outfielder Wilyer Abreu (illness) are in the starting lineup on Saturday. Devers will be the DH and bat in the two-hole while Abreu will cover right field and bat eighth. Devers has been dealing with a shoulder injury throughout most of camp. There have been reports that he could begin the season exclusively as a designated hitter. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but seeing him return to the starting lineup is a positive sign. Abreu battled an illness throughout camp and even lost some weight as a result. The team may opt to increase his workload slowly during the remainder of camp to ensure he is ready for Opening Day. During the regular season, Devers will likely see time at the hot corner and at DH while Abreu will see most of his starts in right field.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) said he will be fine if the team wants him to serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day. "I don't make those decisions," Devers said after talking to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora a few weeks ago. The 28-year-old has changed his tune after saying on Feb. 17 that "third base is my position. I play third." Devers is finally scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday after working on his swing during spring training following issues with both of his shoulders last year. Meanwhile, new addition Alex Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman and has been at the hot corner all spring. Devers could see time at third at some point in 2025, but all signs are pointing to him opening the year as the full-time DH with Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) starting on the injured list.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) will take part in a simulated game in camp on Thursday with right-hander Walker Buehler pitching. Devers' Grapefruit League debut has already been pushed back several times -- he's now expected to play on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves -- but he's been taking part in live batting practice sessions and will take swings against Buehler on Thursday. The 28-year-old dealt with issues in both of his shoulders last year, which is why he didn't resume swinging until the start of spring training. The Red Sox still expect Devers to be ready by Opening Day, but his lengthy delay from playing in spring games likely means he'll open the year as the team's regular designated hitter. Devers was still one of the better all-around hitters in baseball in 2024, but his shoulder issues should have fantasy managers wondering how effective he'll be in 2025.

MLB.com's Ian Browne reports that Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers' (shoulders) Grapefruit League debut has once again been pushed back this week from Wednesday to Saturday. However, the team still expects him to be ready for Opening Day, and he's been taking live batting practice for more than a week. The 28-year-old has been trying to iron out his swing for the last few weeks while also making mechanical adjustments after two sore shoulders forced him into bad habits late last year. The Red Sox haven't said whether Devers will start the year at third base or at designated hitter, but all signs are pointing to the latter, especially after the team added Alex Bregman in free agency. Using Devers as the regular DH to begin the season will not only keep him healthy but allow him to continue to work on his new swing path. Devers at DH will make Masataka Yoshida the odd man out of the lineup.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) is set to make his spring debut on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. The 28-year-old has been built up slowly during camp due to his shoulder issues last season. However, the three-time All-star is on the verge of his spring debut. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on defense as the team may opt to have him serve as the designated hitter during the early part of the season. Last season, the 28-year-old appeared in 138 contests and posted a .272/.354/.516 slash line with 34 doubles and 28 home runs. He generated an elite .364 xWOBA and .509 xSLG which placed him in the 92nd and 94th percentile respectively. He will likely see most of his starts at the hot corner or as a designated hitter when he is healthy.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) has yet to get into a Grapefruit League game. However, manager Alex Cora said the team is targeting a debut for either next Tuesday or Wednesday. Devers was originally expected to make his Grapefruit League debut this past Wednesday, but he informed the team that he wasn't quite ready. The 28-year-old battled through injuries to both of his shoulders in 2024 but still managed to hit .272/.354/.516 with an .871 OPS, 28 home runs and 83 RBI in 138 games. Devers' shoulder issues have never really been seen as something that will keep him from being ready for Opening Day later this month, but fantasy managers would really like to see him going soon so that he can get his timing down and be ready to go. He's been adamant that he wants to stick at third base, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him open the season as Boston's primary designated hitter.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) doesn't feel up to speed at the plate during live batting practice sessions and will not make his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Devers has asked manager Alex Cora for a little more time. Although Devers wants to stay at third base and the Red Sox haven't announced that he'll move off the hot corner in 2025, it's looking more and more likely that he'll at least start the regular season as the team's designated hitter to preserve his health. That would mean Alex Bregman starting at third and prospect Kristian Campbell slotting in at the keystone regularly. Not only was the 28-year-old's defense not very strong at third in 2024, but he battled injuries to both of his shoulders. He's currently not in danger of missing Opening Day, but there are more questions surround Devers as a midrange starting fantasy third baseman.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) has already said that he wants to stay at third base this season. The assumption was that newly added Alex Bregman would take over third base, which means Devers would become the everyday designated hitter. The coaching staff has been mostly avoiding the issue and saying these things will work themselves out. Devers struggled on the defense last season and it would make most sense to move him to the DH spot. That would give Kristian Campbell a chance to play everyday second base in Boston. Devers might not like it, but a move to DH makes the most sense for this team going forward.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that the team is shooting for third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) to play in his first Grapefruit League game at third base a week from this Wednesday. However, Cora also said no final decisions have been made about which position Devers will play during the regular season. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman will play second base during spring training. Devers wants to stick at the hot corner, but Bregman is better defensively. If Devers were to move off third, he'd either move across the diamond to first base or serve as the team's regular designated hitter. The BoSox are keeping their options open. Devers declined defensively at third in 2024 and also battled injuries to both of his shoulders, so moving him off third would mainly be a decision to preserve his health. Offensively, Devers remains one of the best hitters in the game and is RotoBaller's No. 5 fantasy third baseman.

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reports that Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) has been doing separate infield and cage work at spring training as he continues to build up his shoulder program after dealing with injuries to both of his shoulders last year. The Red Sox expect Devers to start doing regular workouts next week, but it's something to keep an eye on moving forward. Boston is probably allowing the 28-year-old to work out separately as a precaution, and even though the team recently signed Alex Bregman, it appears that Devers will stay at the hot corner in 2025, with Bregman moving over to second base. However, if Devers' shoulder injuries linger, he could be ticketed for regular work as the designated hitter. As long as he's healthy, Devers should be considered a top-five fantasy third baseman after hitting 28 homers, driving in 83 and batting .272 in 138 games in 2024.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers said he will not serve as the designated hitter in 2025 if the team asks him to do so. "Third base is my position. I don't know what [the team's] plans are. I made it clear my desires and whatever happens, we'll see," Devers said. The Red Sox recently signed Alex Bregman, but the expectation is that Devers will stay at the hot corner and Bregman will shift to second base. The 28-year-old Devers has started 942 of his 951 MLB games at third base, but he's not as strong as Bregman defensively at third and played through injuries to both of his shoulders in 2024. Masahiro Tanaka is entrenched as the primary DH, with Triston Casas locked in as the full-time starter at first base, so Boston doesn't appear to have a ton of lineup flexibility. Regardless of where Devers plays mostly in 2025, he'll be a regular in the team's starting lineup after hitting 28 homers and driving in 83 last year.