Why Red Sox Slugger Rafael Devers Won’t Play In All-Star Game

The Boston Red Sox had three players selected to participate in the MLB All-Star Game.

But only two of them will end up making the trip to Globe Life Field in Texas for the 94th annual Midsummer Classic next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed Tuesday prior to facing the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park that star third baseman Rafael Devers won’t participate in the marquee exhibition contest so that he can rest a sore left shoulder.

“He’s been grinding through a few things, especially his left shoulder, so you know, as a group we believe that this is a good time for him to get some rest and take care of it,” Cora told reporters, per the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Starr.

It was the third time in Devers’ career he had been selected to the All-Star Game, which might have made the decision to pass up the opportunity easier than if he was a first-time selection like teammates Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck.

Devers has been bothered by shoulder soreness ever since spring training. He took just four games off in April to try to deal with the ailment and soon after dealt with a knee injury that caused him to sit out a week.

The bumps and bruises never led Devers to land on the injured list, though. The 27-year-old battled through and still leads the Red Sox in several offensive categories, including batting average (.293), home runs (21), RBIs (55) and on-base percentage (.378).

“It’s a testament to our medical staff,” Cora told reporters, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “They do an amazing job with him during the week. Raffy has learned how to be efficient with his work and staying healthy. Talking to him, we all believe there’s more here. We’re shooting for something bigger than the All-Star Game.

“For him to be healthy is the most important thing. But as far as the performance, he understands. He does an outstanding job in the weight room, in the training room, not hitting outside, not taking grounders when he doesn’t need them. He’s a very mature player who understands his craft and that’s the reason he has been able to post.”

The replacement for Devers on the American League roster is expected to be announced later on Tuesday.