Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers did not play in Thursday’s loss to the Orioles due to lingering shoulder soreness, but after the game he said the injury isn’t serious and he’s day to day.
“I think it’s not a very important injury so I’m going to keep working,” Devers said postgame via translator Carlos Villoria Benítez.
Devers has been battling the soreness since late in spring training and sat out two games in Seattle. The club hopes that with another day or two of rest Devers can avoid a trip to the injured list, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora acknowledged that they need to get the issue under control.
“It’s too early to be grinding, that’s the way I see it, and he’s too important for us to be grinding with his swing and making it worse,” Cora said pregame.
In addition to Devers, utility player Romy Gonzalez underwent X-rays on his left wrist after getting banged up on a play in Wednesday night’s loss. He woke up Thursday feeling sore and was seen in the clubhouse with his wrist in a brace, but Cora said he doesn’t have any fractures and is doing better.
The Red Sox also had a brief scare during Thursday’s game when starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock summoned the trainer after experiencing discomfort in his leg. He said following the game that he was having a cramp in his right calf, but the issue quickly resolved and he was fine afterwards.
