The Boston Red Sox and Rafael Devers are just about at that time when the talking is over and the playing begins.
Devers has oscillated this offseason between various vibes, from wanting to stake claim to the third base job over Alex Bregman, to reported trade requests, to walking back his comments and acting more like a team player.
On Saturday, a pair of factors combine to provide a big hint at what the Red Sox will do come Opening Day.
MORE: Yankees may have found their starting DH
The first is simply Boston’s lineup choice in Devers’ first game this Spring Training after battling a nagging shoulder injury. Boston has Bregman batting in the 3-spot and playing third base, while Devers bats right in front of him as the designated hitter.
Of course, maybe the Red Sox wouldn’t rush Devers back into the field in his first game of the spring, but there also isn’t a lot of time to get tuned up. If there was ever a third-base competition, he may lose the battle by default.
The second notable point from Saturday pertains to Masataka Yoshida, Boston’s incumbent DH. He is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
The tricky thing with Yoshida: He’s been hitting for a month, but he only just began to throw out to 90 feet. Nominally an outfielder, it doesn’t seem like his arm will be ready for Opening Day.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Saturday that there’s still a possibility that Yoshida opens the season on the Injured List.
While not said out loud, it seems clear that the lineup choices to begin the year get a bit easier if Cora doesn’t have to figure out how to keep Yoshida happy in addition to the already mood-swinging Devers.
The Red Sox may have given a strong look at their Opening Day batting lineup in general Saturday, at least at seven of the nine spots.
On Saturday, Jarren Duran leads off in center field, Trevor Story bats cleanup and plays short, Triston Casas is at first base in the 5-hole, stud prospect Kristian Campbell hits seventh and plays second, and right-fielder Wilyer Abreu bats eighth. The only pieces likely missing are Ceddanne Rafaela in the outfield and Connor Wong behind the plate.
Boston also announced its Opening Day starting pitcher will be Garrett Crochet, so things appear to be coming into shape for the Red Sox.
MORE:
