FORT MYERS, Fla. — Plenty of questions lingered in Boston Red Sox camp on Tuesday, a day after Rafael Devers didn’t mince words about his desire to stay at third base, showing an unwillingness to move to designated hitter to make way for the newly signed Alex Bregman.
When talking to reporters on Tuesday, Bregman tried to squash any suggestion of an early rift between him and Devers, noting “I’ll play anywhere.” First baseman Triston Casas, never shy about speaking his mind, told reporters he thinks Devers should stay at third and that Bregman should shift to second. Manager Alex Cora has maintained no decisions have been made yet on how his starting infield will line up.
For his part, Bregman is trying to avoid any controversy.
“I’m super excited to just be his teammate,” Bregman said when asked what he thought of Devers’ remarks. “He’s a great player. I think everybody in this clubhouse is worried about winning and whatever it takes to help the team win is all I’m focused on. I’ll play wherever AC tells me to play.”
Devers and Bregman worked alongside each other on the turf on Tuesday with infield instructor and first base coach José Flores. Devers has not taken part in full infield drills or batting practice as he builds up his shoulder strength. He spent the winter rehabbing both shoulders after his 2024 season ended early as he dealt with soreness in both. Cora expects Devers to be a full participant in camp by early next week.
When Cora spoke on Monday, he said he had not yet heard Devers’ comments and wanted to hear them for himself before reacting. When asked about them on Tuesday, he gave a measured reply.
“Like I said, proud individual,” Cora said. “He was ready for it, he was ready for the questions and he answered the questions the way he wanted to. This is one of those that, like I said, whoever sits here and talks I respect that, it’s not easy to do. But at the same time, you know, understanding that we’re the Boston Red Sox and we’re going to be ready for Opening Day.”
Full squad scenes.
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— Red Sox (@redsox.com) February 18, 2025 at 6:14 AM
Cora had a pre-planned get-together with several players at his house in Fort Myers on Monday night, hours after Devers’ comments. Both Bregman and Devers were at the dinner and Cora said the two were deep in conversation for 45 minutes.
Despite what might seem like a difficult dynamic with Bregman being the better defensive third baseman and Devers refusing to move off the spot, Cora insisted they’ll work it out and that there has been no awkwardness.
“We’ve been having a lot of fun,” Bregman said of his time with Devers thus far. “We’ve been taking ground balls back here, during our work together. Talking about winning. Talking about baseball. Talking about being excited for the season. Last night, we all got together and had dinner. It’s great.”
Bregman said he wasn’t surprised by Devers’ comments and appreciates the competitiveness.
“I think everybody here believes in their abilities,” Bregman said. “I think all of us believe that if we all put together a good effort this season we have a really good chance of being a winning baseball team. For me, I can only talk for myself, I’ll play wherever helps the team win.”
Bregman was asked what the team told him in terms of where he’d play if he signed with them.
“Whatever helps the team win,” he replied.
Bregman has taken reps at third base early in camp, a position at which he won a Gold Glove last season, and he only has 32 innings at second base in the majors. He didn’t give a timeline of what it would take for him to get ready for a move to second base.
“AC just told me to be ready for whatever,” Bregman said. “I’m just going to try my best to get ready for the season and hopefully help this team win.”
Meanwhile, Casas met with the media for the first time in camp on Tuesday, discussing his health, how he approached training this winter and his goals for 2025. He also offered his thoughts on the Devers situation and remained loyal to Devers and supportive of his comments.
“I think it’s Raffy Devers’ position, I think he’s the third baseman,” Casas said. “At that point, that’s where it stands. And he’s done it for a really long time now. And I think he’s only getting better at that position. I think his defense is getting better every single year. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know it holds Raffy Devers. So I think he’s got to play defense. It’s going to keep him athletic and he’s going to hit (better) because of him being at third base.
“He doesn’t know any other position. He doesn’t want to play any other position. And he’s going to fight for it, even if it’s with any of the younger guys, any new guy. I mean, I think he’s the best third baseman in the league. I wouldn’t take anybody over him. So, I think he should play third base.”
Casas relayed he thinks Bregman should play second base.
“I think he’s going to make the transition well, I think he’s athletic enough, too,” Casas said. “I think Trevor (Story) is going to play an awesome shortstop.”
Along with his thoughts about Bregman shifting to second, Casas spoke highly of Kristian Campbell, particularly as a hitter, but also noted he doesn’t think the team should promote any of its top prospects — Campbell, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer — for Opening Day. Casas is particularly close with Anthony and Mayer. He worked out with Anthony in Miami over the winter and has mentored Mayer since Mayer was drafted in 2021.
“No I think we got some grown men out there right now that need to iron some things out,” Casas said. “We need to show up and see what that first taste of us all together looks like. I think (the top prospects’) time is going to come and it could be earlier rather than later, but I think for right now, the roster is beautiful. It’s organized great and it’s structured really well.”
Meanwhile, all the talk of Devers potentially moving to designated hitter has glossed over the fact that Masataka Yoshida took a majority of his reps at the position last year. Yoshida, who had shoulder surgery in October, just started throwing at 90 feet on Monday.
Cora wouldn’t broach the topic of Yoshida beginning the year on the IL, but it does seem like at least a possibility. Cora also said Yoshida will need to be used in the outfield this season, not just at DH.
“Masa is going to be part of the picture,” Cora said. “We just got to get him going. Like I said last year, he was at DH. This year, we need him to play defense. It’s a different season.”
Yoshida had expressed a desire last year to play more outfield rather than strictly DHing. Yoshida was asked about the possibility of the team moving Devers to DH, Yoshida’s primary spot last year.
“It’s out of my control,” Yoshida said through an interpreter. “We haven’t had communication on that but I’ll play where they want me to play.”
Adam Ottavino returns
The Red Sox signed reliever Adam Ottavino to a minor-league deal on Tuesday, making him a non-roster invitee to big-league camp. By the time workouts for the day had finished, Ottavino already had a locker in the clubhouse alongside Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman.
The 39-year-old said his experience pitching in Boston in 2021 was a big factor in deciding to return to the organization.
“I had talked to Boston for quite a while this offseason, so it was a long process, and once I was open to the NRI situation, I got a lot of offers really fast,” Ottavino said.
“It helps that I’ve been here before, and I know AC and I know the trainers and a lot of people in the organization,” he added. “So if I’m in a situation to make a club, I’ll be given a little more grace initially, since I’ve been inside the past few months. And also the upside of the team, it’s really good. I like the moves. It’s a place I love playing. It’s kind of a no-brainer once I felt like I had a decent shot.”
In 69 appearances in 2021, Ottavino posted a 4.21 ERA, 3.96 FIP and 25.7 percent strikeout rate for Boston. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Mets, and while he had a terrific 2022 with a 2.06 ERA in 66 appearances and a solid 2023 with a 3.21 ERA in 66 games, he’s coming off a 2024 season in which he posted 4.34 ERA over 60 appearances.
“I just was trying to figure out ways to get better and some of them backfired,” Ottavino said of his 2024 season. “I tried to lean on my cutter a little bit early in the season more than I had. I had a really great April, and then I had, really, my worst month ever in May, and I really hadn’t changed my strategy. So it took me a little while to realize what the right changes to make were, and I felt like I made them as the season went on, and just kind of ran out of time to get back into the thrust.”
Over the final three months of the season, Ottavino posted a 3.86 ERA and 25.7 percent strikeout rate.
Cora said the front office is still seeking ways to upgrade the team and Ottavino could have a real shot at making the Opening Day roster. Cora also noted Ottavino’s experience on the 2021 team and familiarity with the club.
“Not only on the field, but he talked to (Garrett) Whitlock and Tanner (Houck), all those guys, they learned a lot from him,” Cora said. “He took the ball. He’s not afraid of the moment. A guy with good stuff.”
Casas healthy, looking for a strong 2025
While Casas’ rib cage injury was a freak accident last season, he’s hoping to stay healthy for an entire year to prove he’s capable of anchoring the lineup alongside Devers.
“I had a really great offseason,” he said. “It’s probably my best one yet, just in terms of health, scheduling, just rhythm, the routine, it was really great. I’m in the best shape that I feel like I’ve been in. All the numbers in the weight room indicate that as well. So hopefully it translates onto the field.”
Casas said he didn’t take much time off after the season because he missed so much time in-season with the injury. That helped him find a better rhythm that he hopes carries into the season.
While Cora pinch hit for Casas often last year whenever a left-hander entered the game, he said he plans on giving Casas those opportunities this year.
“He’s going to be there every single day,” he said. “We’re going to challenge him to play every day against righties and lefties. And he’s a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Casas appreciated the challenge from Cora.
“That vote of confidence is what I work so hard for, I want all those at-bats,” he said. “I think it’s just going to come down to having good at-bats and swinging at strikes and at least competing in those at-bats. Even if it’s extending the at-bats to get it to an extra couple of pitches for a righty behind me or move a runner to make an at-bat easier for either one of the lower guys in the lineup.”
Cora also indicated that, at the moment, Romy Gonzalez is the primary backup at first base and has been getting a lot of work at the position. He noted Gonzalez’s versatility and his ability to hit left-handers as important tools for the club.
Garrett Crochet, Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks throw live BP
Crochet on Tuesday threw a live batting practice session for the second time this camp and continued to hit the upper 90s but spent much of the session working on his offspeed stuff. He struck out Anthony in one at-bat while Story homered to left off him in another.
Garrett Crochet live BP vs Roman Anthony pic.twitter.com/AxleC4vIEb
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) February 18, 2025
Aroldis Chapman took the mound for an inning of work and was already firing 100 mph fastballs, one of which Vaughn Grissom hit on a line to right field.
Aroldis Chapman vs Vaughn Grissom and Triston Casas pic.twitter.com/MilnOe8PBF
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) February 18, 2025
Liam Hendriks faced batters as well and hit 93-94 mph.
Liam Hendriks vs Alex Bregman and Triston Casas pic.twitter.com/QIfZtmi8Gy
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) February 18, 2025
“Stuff-wise, you see Garrett (Crochet), Chapman, (Justin) Wilson, elite fastballs, really good,” Cora said. “(Josh) Winckowski threw the ball well, Liam too. Onto the next one, but you can see it stuff-wise but also the size of our pitching staff. Very physical, a bunch of big boys over there will be fun.”
After being shut down last week with shoulder soreness, Brayan Bello played catch on Monday and reported feeling fine on Tuesday. He’ll continue with his throwing program. Kutter Crawford is still sidelined with knee soreness.
(Photo of Bregman: Maddie Malhotra / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)
