Alex Cora Gets Candid About Red Sox Officially Moving Rafael Devers To DH

Arguably the biggest storyline in Boston Red Sox spring training this year officially has an end result just a day before the team’s season opener.

After Red Sox manager Alex Cora tip-toed around declaring a starter at third base, he publicly acknowledged Wednesday for the first time that Rafael Devers is being moved to the designated hitter spot on a full-time basis so that Alex Bregman can play the hot corner.

“We had conversations throughout spring training and he was very vocal about how he felt and we made a decision. Alex (Bregman) is going to play third. Raffy is going to DH,” Cora said during an appearance on “WEEI Afternoons,” as transcribed by MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “We all are in the winning business and he understands that. It’s like everything. You don’t have to agree with it. … He’s been working hard not only with his swing but the routine. Of course it’s a little bit different.”

It was trending this way for Devers for some time now, especially since Bregman didn’t see any game action at second base during the exhibition slate and with highly touted prospect Kristian Campbell winning the job at second.

Devers, who leads all active MLB third basemen in errors, was defiant at the start of spring training about becoming Boston’s DH. The Red Sox star slugger softened his stance after that, but it appeared he took a long time to come around to the idea of playing a new position. MassLive reported that Devers even contemplated asking for a trade.

The significant change might be an adjustment for Devers, who batted .272 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs last season despite battling shoulder ailments. But Cora has full faith that Devers will figure out the transition and once again be one of the best hitters in the Red Sox lineup.

“Every DH used to be a position player until they were DHs,” Cora said. “J.D. (Martinez) went through the same transition in 2018. He was an outfielder, he became a DH and you saw what happened. So we expect the same thing. The kid is ready to go. He’s going to hit second against lefties and righties. And he’s going to DH. I think having Alex behind him (in the lineup) is going to benefit him. Honestly, I expect a great season from Raffy offensively.”