Rafael Devers is unlikely to take the field defensively for the Red Sox this season, having transitioned into a designated hitter role. Team officials are pessimistic about Devers playing either corner position, despite manager Alex Cora leaving the option open. Earlier, Devers showed reluctance to move from third base to first, even causing a stir with team leadership during a meeting. Currently, he hasn't practiced at either position, with teams focusing on optimizing his contributions as a DH.
Unlike (Kristian) Campbell, Devers has not taken a single rep at first base during pregame work this season. In recent weeks, he has not been seen taking grounders at third base as he was earlier in the season.
Though manager Alex Cora has publicly left the door open for Devers to eventually start getting reps at first base this summer, privately, team officials remain very pessimistic about the chances of Devers taking the field at either corner.
Conversations are ongoing. It's best to keep them internal. But obviously, there's nothing to show right now. He's still DHing and doing a hell of a job there.
This week, one official expressed with some certitude that the experiment would not be happening.
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