Rafael Devers made a strong return to the Red Sox lineup on Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs in an 8-0 win over the Guardians. Devers had missed five straight games due to a bone bruise in his left knee, but showed no signs of discomfort as he scored from first base on a double in his first at-bat.
After missing five straight games due to a bone bruise in his left knee, the big third baseman motored all the way from first base to score on a a Wilyer Abreu double to left field. That Devers was able to go 270 feet with no pain in 43-degree weather represented a good sign after a touchy week that included an MRI and a delayed return from what was first anticipated.
Devers’ return came at a place where he has had success in the past. Entering Wednesday, he was a career .309 hitter with six homers, five doubles and a career .984 OPS in 19 games at Progressive Field, where he had a six-hit, four-double game in Aug. 2019.
“He likes hitting here,” Cora said. “We know that. To have him in the lineup is always good.”
Devers’ return to the lineup is much welcomed by a Red Sox team that keeps taking hits on both sides of the ball. With Trevor Story (shoulder surgery) and Triston Casas (fractured rib) both out for long periods of time, Boston will rely on Devers and outfielder Tyler O’Neill as its two best hitters. The lineup suffered with both players out for a few days last week after a concussion between the pair sidelined O’Neill with a concussion for six games.
Devers, who was the designated hitter Wednesday, will return to third base in Thursday’s series finale. That will mean Devers, O’Neill and Masataka Yoshida (at DH) will be in the lineup together for the first time since Marathon Monday.
It’s possible problems with the shoulder or knee could still pop up, so Devers will remain cautious.
“I don’t know yet,” Devers said when asked if he was in the clear health-wise. “That’s why I’m saying day-to-day. It’s something I’m going to be able to tell you day by day. Right now, I can’t tell you a percentage.”
Devers is proud to see the Red Sox treading water at 14-11 despite all the injuries.
“It’s very good. I don’t know how people outside the organization see us but I think we’re a very capable group,” he said. “We have very young talent here. They’re doing their job, stepping up and it’s very positive for us to win despite all the injuries.”
