The Boston Red Sox have officially cemented Rafael Devers as their full-time designated hitter, with manager Alex Cora indicating he won't be returning to third base, even with Alex Bregman on paternity leave. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow revealed the decision is intended to ease Devers' transition into his new role, especially after a challenging start where he went 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts. However, Devers has shown signs of recovery with hits in four of his last five games, including a critical homer in a recent walk-off win against the Chicago White Sox.

Boston has opted to give other players like Romy Gonzalez and David Hamilton more playing time while allowing Devers to focus solely on hitting. This strategic approach highlights the Red Sox's effort to manage their lineup effectively and address their defensive challenges early in the season.