The Boston Red Sox will be without their All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers for the rest of the season due to a lingering shoulder injury. But this is no new injury for the Dominican superstar, as he’s been dealing with it for weeks. It’s affected him all season. But it’s now come to the point where Devers can no longer play hurt. An MRI will be performed today to evaluate the injury further. Devers’ injury may require him to undergo major rotator cuff surgery, costing him most, if not all, of 2025.
Alex Cora told @alexspeier that Rafael Devers isn’t alright and this is probably it for him.
He’ll undergo an MRI on his right shoulder tomorrow.
No need to push him out there anymore. He’s hurting you on both sides of the ball. pic.twitter.com/bqlnwoDFqZ
— Tyler Milliken
(@tylermilliken_) September 21, 2024
Red Sox Slugger Sidelined With Shoulder Injury
Devers Injury Fades Red Sox Chances For Postseason
Safe to say that sidelining Rafael Devers for the rest of the season is 100% the right move. pic.twitter.com/sJhvjGjhT8
— Pat (@PatSullivan05) September 21, 2024
The Red Sox are now five games out of a wild-card spot with only a short period of the regular season remaining. Devers’ shoulder discomfort has inevitably impacted his game, precisely his average bat speed. If you look at his average bat speed per month, it has plummeted from month to month. Devers has reached the peak of playing through the pain and is better off recovering for the rest of the season. With the Red Sox’s tough 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins on September 20th, their postseason chances are diminishing. The Red Sox offense fell short, and Devers was removed from the game in extra innings. It was apparent that Devers’s injury affected his repertoire both at the plate and on the field.
Devers’s Cold Performance
It’s unfortunate, as Devers has had a strong season with the Red Sox. Sporting 28 home runs and 83 RBIs, in addition to hitting a home run in six straight games in May. This is when Devers gained a lot of limelight and found his groove. But at the same time, Devers’s injury has also weighed down on him, negatively impacting his throwing arm. Devers has always been highlighted for his offense and throwing abilities. Devers earned his 200th career homerun on August 25th.
But his recent struggles have interfered with his usual form. Devers playing with two separated shoulders showcases his hustle and ruggedness. Teammate Trevor Story told reporters, “I’m super proud of him. I’m proud to call him my teammate. He’s setting the tone for everyone to follow.” The player mentality of playing through the pain and you want to help your team win. But Devers’s continuous hope to produce hasn’t been fortified with his nagging injury. Devers wouldn’t be the first player to play through an injury.
However, the continuous play while experiencing a nagging injury has caused an offensive drought. Devers should have been sidelined weeks ago when the injury was worsening. The superstar has gone on a cold streak, going 1 for 15 with 11 strikeouts this week. So, Alex Cora‘s decision to continue to play Devers despite his shoulder issue was an adverse risk. Primarily because he has been dealing with shoulder issues all season. The risk did not become a reward, as Devers’s injury got him stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had an injury but continued to play, which caused a flat performance.
Main Photo Credits: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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