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Red Sox Skipper Alex Cora Makes Long Announcement on Rafael Devers Playing First Base

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 8, 2025 1:15 PM ET

Nothing should be off the table for the Boston Red Sox right now after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending knee injury.

When asked if Rafael Devers would play first base, Alex Cora simply said he wouldn’t.

However, when speaking to WEEI on Wednesday, Cora seemingly left the door open for Devers to play first base if things don't go how he wants them to.

Ultimately, Cora has to do what's right for the team, and even if Devers gets upset, he should be doing whatever it takes for the Red Sox to be as good as they can.

"Right now with him, he's very comfortable with his role, right?" Cora said. "And we asked him to do something in spring training that as you guys know, he didn't agree (with) in the beginning. And then little by little, he has embraced it because he knows the quality of the player that we have at third base, where we're at as a team.

"I always say that time is our best friend in situations like this. And you know, there's two reasons. Triston got hurt Saturday, and we got some capable players. Romy is having a good season. Toro, you saw him yesterday, he put some good at-bats.

"So I'm not saying we'll never have that conversation, but I think for now, where we're at, I like Raffy as a DH. I like him as I make my DH. You take away the first weekend of the season, he's been one of the best hitters in the big leagues, and he's doing an outstanding job.”

On Wednesday, against the Texas Rangers, Casas’ replacement, Romy Gonzalez, was attempting to beat out an infield single to third base. He collided with first baseman Josh Smith in the 6th inning and left the game with an injury.

According to the team, it isn't anything too concerning, and he's considered day-to-day.

However, this shows Devers that he needs to be ready to play first base when called upon, as things simply happen in Major League Baseball, and injuries are unavoidable.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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