“Can't expect me to play all positions”- Drama unfolds in Red Sox as Rafael Devers insists on playing third base

Boston Red Sox ’s ace, Rafael Devers , feels he doesn't want to move to first base, despite the team asking him to, after another player, Triston Casas, got hurt for the season. Members with the Red Sox haven’t been okay with Devers’ recent comments over the issue. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time he has made such comments. Earlier as well, Devers had asked to switch positions.

Drama unfolds after Rafael Devers’ reaction
Earlier, Rafael Devers became a designated hitter , so his teammate Alex Bregman could play third base . The team manager, Craig Breslow , had asked him again to change positions, but Devers made it clear he didn't want to. He told Associated Press:

“I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove, I wasn’t going to play another position other than DH. Right now, I don’t think it would be an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position.”

#Baseball #Sports
Per @TheAthletic: Red Sox principal owner John Henry takes an uncommon approach by meeting in person with Rafael Devers, a day after the star player expressed discontent over being asked to shift to first base. The outcome? A "productive conversation," according…

— Clutch Play Sports (@ClutchPlaySport) May 10, 2025

The Red Sox moved Rafael Devers from third base to designated hitter earlier this year to make space for Alex Bregman, and while Devers wasn’t happy, he still went along with it. Now, with Triston Casas being left injured for the season, the team needs someone at first base.

Due next for #RedSox:

• Jarren Duran (groundout, lineout, strikeout, pop out)
• Rafael Devers (groundout, single, strikeout, groundout)
• Alex Bregman (strikeout, lineout, hit by pitch, pop out)

— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) May 10, 2025

Rafael Devers added:

“They told me that I’m a little hard-headed, but they already asked me to change (positions) once, This time, I don’t think I can be as flexible. I don’t feel they stayed true to their word. They told me I was going to play this position, DH. Now they’re going back on that.”

Red Sox principal owner John Henry took the unusual step of flying to meet with Rafael Devers a day after Boston's franchise player said he was upset the team asked him to move to first.

"We think we had a productive conversation." pic.twitter.com/bR4ZCyrDhS

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 10, 2025

Rafael Devers says changing positions isn’t easy

Further, Rafael Devers explained how changing positions isn’t easy, he said:

“He (Craig Breslow) played ball. I would like to think that he knows that changing positions isn’t easy, They put me in this situation. They told me they didn’t want me to play any other positions.”

When Devers was asked how Craig Breslow could act better in this situation, he said:

“Now, they should do their jobs essentially and hit the market and look for another player. I’m not sure why they want me to be an in-between,” he said. “Next thing you know, someone in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield. I know the kind of player that I am, and that’s where I stand.”

Also Read: "Can’t Have This Attitude"- Fans Blast Rafael Devers For Setting Bad Sportsmanship Example After Refusing To Play At First Base For Red Sox