New Update On Rafael Devers After Second Straight Missed Game

There was a noticeable absence from the Red Sox lineup in Boston's last two games.

Alex Cora kept Rafael Devers on the bench for each of the club's last two matchups with the Toronto Blue Jays, both of which the Red Sox managed to win without the star third baseman. Devers has been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury all season, and he reaggravated the ailment late last month in Colorado.

Fortunately for the three-time All-Star and his team, Devers isn't expected to be out of action for an extended period of time. Cora on Wednesday revealed to reporters that the plan is for the 27-year-old to be back in Boston's starting nine Thursday when it wraps up its series with Toronto or Friday when the Red Sox open a weekend set with the Tigers in Detroit, per MLB.com.

To Devers' credit, he hasn't let the discomfort diminish his performance. Entering Thursday, he led Boston in home runs (28), RBIs (80), OBP (.369), OPS (.940) and slugging percentage (.571). The Red Sox will need Devers to keep that pace if they want to gain ground in the American League wild-card standings and potentially reach the postseason.

Boston will try to secure its third straight win over Toronto on Thursday night. NESN's complete coverage of the finale from Fenway Park will begin at 6 p.m. ET.