It’s been an abysmal start at the plate for Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers.
Through seven games, the three-time All-Star has collected just three hits in 27 at-bats while striking out 16 times. He finally recorded his first hit Wednesday after going 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts.
Devers appeared in only five spring training games as he continued dealing with shoulder issues that ended his 2024 season prematurely.
He was also caught in controversy during camp after the Red Sox signed Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman. Devers initially declared he would not move off third base but eventually relented and accepted the role as Boston’s full-time DH this season.
With Devers struggling at the plate, a former MLB general manager-turned-insider has identified several underlying causes.
Former MLB GM explains Rafael Devers’ early-season struggles
During an appearance on the “Foul Territory” baseball podcast, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, former GM for the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, stated that the Red Sox mishandled the third base situation after signing Bregman.
“I’m sure Rafael Devers heard that they were signing him. But during that whole process, they kept saying perhaps Bregman would play second base. And the Red Sox never came out and said, ‘Well, if we sign Bregman, we’re going to move Devers to DH.’ They never went to Rafael Devers and said, ‘Hey, we may sign Bregman and if we do, you’re going to be the full-time DH.’ They didn’t do that. They signed Bregman and then they tried to deal with it. So they mishandled it,” said Bowden.
Four reasons for Rafael Devers' alarming struggles, from @JimBowdenGM:
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 1, 2025
• The way Boston handled Alex Bregman
• Not everyone can DH
• His shoulders aren't healthy
• He's overweight
Thoughts? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/GeHyQSWkh5
The MLB insider explained that transitioning to DH has created additional mental challenges for Devers.
“Second mental issue is, not everybody can DH. There are so many hitters that just can’t DH,” noted Bowden. “The way it was handled and mentally him having to adjust to the DH spot has been huge.”
Beyond the mental aspects, Devers continues to battle physical limitations. His shoulders remain problematic, and Bowden highlighted another concerning factor.
“The other physical reason is he’s overweight. You don’t have to be a genius to look at the video of him a year ago and look at him now,” said Bowden.
“So, if you’re the Red Sox, we know those four issues are there. You got to fix it. You got to give him love, and you got to get him with nutritionists, you got to get him with the medical people, you got to get him with the training people. You got to find ways to get him back to being Rafael Devers at the plate.”
Devers will attempt to rediscover his swing as the Red Sox open a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday at Fenway Park.
