BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora said after the Red Sox’ 7-1 loss to the Cubs on Friday that Rafael Devers is ready to play third base Saturday.
It will be Devers’ first game in the field since April 16 when he left in the eighth inning because of a bone bruise in his left knee. Devers missed five straight games before returning as the DH on Wednesday. He has started in the DH spot each of the past three games, including Friday when he went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Cora also confirmed that Masataka Yoshida will return to the DH role with Devers heading back to third base. Yoshida has not started a game since Saturday.
The Red Sox started Tyler Heineman at DH on Sunday, then had Tyler O’Neill in the DH spot Tuesday when he returned from the 7-day IL (concussion).
Cora has insisted that Yoshida is still the everyday DH despite his lack of playing time. He said Yoshida has sat simply because of the Red Sox wanting to ease O’Neill and Devers back from their injuries in the DH spot.
Cora said Yoshida — who is batting only .233 — has handled the situation “excellent.”
“Like a pro, man,” Cora said. “He’s great. He understands. We talk on a daily basis. This is not like I send the lineup out and I don’t talk to the players. We’re in constant communication. And he understands that when Tyler came back, he needed to DH. And with Raffy obviously he understands that.”
