Alex Cora Refutes Narrative Around Rafael Devers’ Major Struggles
It seems like nearly everyone is trying to figure out what’s wrong with Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers.
A historic slump to begin the season certainly will draw a lot of attention. Devers struck out three more times and walked twice in Monday’s 8-5 road loss to the Baltimore Orioles. The left-handed slugger is now 0-for-19 on the season with an eye-popping 15 strikeouts.
So what is at the root of Devers’ major problems at the plate? Red Sox manager Alex Cora ruled out two possibilities following the series opener against the Orioles.
“It’s not the shoulder. It’s not the DH thing,” Cora told reporters, per NESN. “He was very vocal about it a few days ago, and the shoulder is fine. Now it’s a matter of keep working hard and getting to the point of hitting the ball out in front. That’s it. If you look from the side, it’s behind, sometimes more than others.”
Cora believes it is Devers’ hitting mechanics that have caused the struggles and the skipper suggested a tweak to Devers’ stance while the Red Sox were still in Texas. Cora did take some positives out of the plate appearances from Devers in the loss to the Orioles, though.
Devers delayed getting into game action in spring training as he worked to strengthen his shoulders, which plagued him throughout last season. Devers appeared in only five games and got 14 at-bats during the exhibition slate, but Cora insists Devers is at full health.
Then there’s the move to designated hitter for Devers after spending the first eight seasons of his career at third base. Devers was vehemently against being the team’s full-time DH at the start of spring training, but then softened his stance with the Red Sox giving Alex Bregman the hot corner.
Devers was outspoken last week that the positional change hasn’t impacted him in the batter’s box and he still feels that way despite admitting he is going through an adjustment period as a DH.
“I feel comfortable with the routine I’m doing right now,” Devers told reporters through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “Obviously, this is not a position that I’ve done in the past. So, I need to get used to it. But I feel good.”