NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 17: Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox sits in the dugout in the first inning after teammate Chris Sale left the game injured against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 17, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Boston Red Sox may have lost more than their pride Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rafael Devers could be out for awhile.
The hits appear to just keep coming for the Boston Red Sox. As if losing to the Toronto Blue Jays 28-5 at Fenway Park wasn’t enough, the team could be without the services of their star third baseman.
In the bottom of the fifth inning Friday, Rafael Devers lined out to the left field. In the next inning, he was removed from the game and replaced with Bobby Dalbec.
According to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic, Devers felt right hamstring tightness after that last at-bat.
Jeter Downs is in the lineup and playing third in today’s game against the Blue Jays. McCaffrey noted Devers wasn’t running well earlier in Friday’s game and wasn’t feeling great prior to Saturday’s game. Sox manager Alex Cora didn’t seem optimistic that Devers may just need rest, noting the possibility of a stint on the injured list.
Red Sox: Rafael Devers could need IL stint
The possibility of an extended injured list stay doesn’t come at the best time with several players experiencing injuries. Trevor Story, Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernandez and several pitchers are all currently on the injured list. Devers is ahead of Downs, Yoimer Sanchez and Dalbec on the third base depth chart.
Devers is also playing really well right now. Devers is hitting .324/.379/.602 with an OPS of .981. He has 29 doubles, one triple, 22 home runs, 62 runs scored and 55 RBI.
The Red Sox are sitting in fourth place in the AL East, 16.5 games back of their rival New York Yankees. The Jays are 13.5 games back of the Yankees. The Rex Sox have lost three games in a row heading into Saturday’s game. This game follows an embarrassing 28-5 loss to the Jays on Friday.
This turn of events combined with other woes makes one wonder how active the club will be at the trade deadline approaching Aug. 2.