Red Sox’s Devers says he’s willing to DH: ‘I’m just ready to play’

Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers has had a change of heart.

After Boston signed third baseman Alex Bregman in February, the move was met with considerable resistance by Devers, who said he wouldn’t cede his third base position to Bregman.

Nearly a month later, Devers has appeared to change his tune.

“We (Red Sox manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow) spoke already, and I’m good to do whatever they want me to do,” Devers said through an interpreter Thursday via NESN. “I’m here to help. I’ve already spoken with them about that and they know where I stand. I’m just ready to play.”

It’s a considerable switch from his comments in February, when he was adamant he wouldn’t consider becoming the Red Sox’s designated hitter.

“Third base is my position,” Devers said through an interpreter in February. “It’s what I play. I don’t know what their plans are. We had a conversation. I made it clear on what my desires were. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”

When asked if he would be willing to become a designated hitter, without waiting for his interpreter to relay the question, Devers said, “No.”

But time heals all wounds, apparently, and Devers admitted he was upset with how his earlier comments were portrayed.

“For me, it’s been kind of sad that I’ve been put out there as someone bad for the organization or not about this organization,” Devers said Thursday. “But I’ve matured a lot during this, and I’m ready to move forward.”

Devers was asked repeatedly what the specific plan for him was this season, but wouldn’t get into the specifics of his conversation with Cora and Breslow.

“I just want to help the team win,” he said. “At the end of the day, whatever position I’m playing, I always take these things as a competition and as a way to get better. That’s how I see it, I’m ready to help the team win.”

Devers signed an 11-year, $331 million contract in January 2021 and has been even more productive in recent seasons than Bregman. Devers hit 28 homers and drove in 83 runs last season despite playing just 138 games because of an assortment of injuries. The year before, he had 33 homers and 100 RBIs while playing in 153 games.

The three-time All-Star hasn’t appeared in a spring training game for the Red Sox yet, but said he’s expecting to be in the Opening Day lineup against the Texas Rangers in two weeks.

“Definitely. I feel very happy, very fortunate, to be in another Opening Day lineup,” he said. “I expect to be there.”

When asked how he’d feel if there was a ‘DH’ beside his name on that Opening Day lineup, Devers said that’s out of control.

“Good,” Devers said. “At the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I don’t call the shots around here. So I feel good. I’ll go out there and do what I need to do.”