Rafael Devers has been playing through shoulder soreness for nearly the entire season, and Friday the injury may have finally caught up to the All-Star third baseman.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Devers is set to undergo an MRI on his right shoulder and in all likelihood will be shut down for the remainder of the season.
“You saw him throwing today, it was bothering him,” Cora said. “When he hit inside he felt it, so he’s going to get an MRI tomorrow to see where we’re at and probably this will be it for him.”
Devers has been mired in one of the worst slumps of his career over the past month or so. He hasn’t hit a home run since Aug. 25, and over his last 21 games since he’s batted .168 with only one extra-base hit.
Even with the recent power outage and the shoulder injury dating all the way back to the spring, Devers still managed to put together another strong overall season. He finishes with 28 home runs and 83 RBI, marking the fifth straight 162-game season he’s reached at least 27 homers and 80 RBI.
Devers has also continued to make a strong impression in the clubhouse, drawing a heartfelt salute from Trevor Story after Friday’s 4-2 loss.
“It’s tough man, I’m super proud of him, I’m proud to call him my teammate, he’s the face of the franchise and he comes out here and posts man,” Story said. “He’s been banged up for a long time, I think everyone knows that, but he’s out here playing. He wants to win, he’s setting the tone for everyone to follow. Even if you’re banged up you still play and set the tone that way.”
