Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that star third baseman Rafael Devers is set to miss the All-Star Game due to lingering shoulder soreness. Devers was named to the third All-Star game of his career on Sunday, joining teammates Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck. Despite the news, Devers is still playing in Tuesday night’s contest against the Oakland Athletics.
Rafael Devers will skip the All-Star Game due to lingering shoulder soreness according to Alex Cora.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 9, 2024
Rafael Devers To Miss All-Star Game Due To Injury
Lingering shoulder soreness for Devers should come as no surprise to Red Sox and baseball fans. The slugger missed time in April due to shoulder soreness and a shoulder injury on separate occasions. It was the first time Devers had a shoulder issue in his eight-year MLB career. Outside of those issues, the 27-year-old has also suffered a bone bruise and knee injury in 2024.
Devers is in the midst of one of his best seasons. He’s been red-hot over his last 15 contests, batting .328 with seven homers and 17 RBI. he is currently is on pace to potentially set career highs in multiple offensive categories. In 77 contests this season, the third baseman is batting .293 (career-high: .311), has a .378 on-base percentage (would be career-best), and sports a .971 OPS (would be career-high). Devers has 21 home runs and 55 RBI this cyear. His 165 OPS+ ranks seventh in all of baseball, with New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge (206) leading the way.
Devers was voted as an infield reserve for this year’s edition of the MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. Cleveland Guardians third baseman José Ramírez claimed the starting role at third base for the American League. Devers was one of six infield reserves selected. Baltimore Orioles rookie Jordan Westburg, who was nearly an outright All-Star, was named as his replacement.
What Devers Missing the All-Star Game Means
For Red Sox fans, this really doesn’t mean much. If anything, Boston should feel better watching only two, and not three, of their players participate in the game. Devers has regularly played since rebounding from his smaller injuries towards the beginning of the season. A break is probably needed, specifically when it comes to his shoulder. Four days off could be massive for Devers’ body to relax. The fact that he isn’t a first-time All-Star makes the decision easier.
This also, theoretically, should have no impact on Boston’s trade deadline approach. Keeping stars healthy is always a top priority, and this move does just that. The rumored links to Los Angeles Angels utility man Luis Rengifo and various starting pitchers are not dead. Boston is taking the safe, and ultimately smart, approach here with their star man. A healthy Devers is better than anything else that the Red Sox have or currently could get, and the organization knows it.
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