Rafael Devers sat out two games against the Seattle Mariners, leaving a noticeable gap in the Boston Red Sox’s lineup. His absence was particularly felt due to the team’s lackluster offensive performance.
On March 29, the third baseman was scratched from the game against the Mariners due to shoulder soreness, just a day after hitting his first home run of the season. This news raised concerns among Red Sox fans about the extent of his injury.
Manager Alex Cora clarified that Devers’ absence was precautionary, as he arrived at warm-ups with shoulder soreness and the team didn’t want to risk further injury with a long season ahead.
Devers had an impressive spring, hitting five home runs, and is expected to be a key player for the Red Sox. His absence from the lineup on March 30 increased anxiety among fans, who were already concerned due to the team’s long list of injured players. While the return of Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen eased some worries, losing Devers to the injured list would likely result in a challenging start to the season, with backup players like Enmanuel Valdez, Bobby Dalbec, or Pablo Reyes filling in.
Boston struggled in the two games without Devers, facing difficulties against Seattle’s strong pitching. Devers returned to the lineup on March 31 and made an immediate impact by hitting a single off the second pitch he faced, signaling to fans that he was ready to play.
Devers revealed that he had been experiencing shoulder pain since his time in Fort Myers and had been playing through it during spring training. He only decided to speak up when the pain worsened after the season began. This revelation raised concerns among fans, who had expected Devers to be a reliable presence in the lineup for the 2024 season.
Fortunately, Devers’ time away from the game was precautionary, and he is now back in Boston’s lineup. If he remains healthy, fans can expect him to resume hitting home runs soon. The upcoming series in Oakland could be a good opportunity for him to regain his form at the plate.
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