Rafael Devers is off to a brutal start for the Red Sox, going hitless through the team’s first five games while striking out 15 times. The three-time All-Star’s struggles come at a particularly awkward time as Boston tries to rebound from recent disappointing seasons.
Devers, who signed a massive 10-year, $313.5 million extension in 2023, is facing intense scrutiny as he transitions to more time at designated hitter following the Red Sox’s signing of Alex Bregman. The 28-year-old initially resisted moving from third base but has since changed his stance.
“No player will be under more scrutiny in 2025 than Devers — especially after starting the season with 15 strikeouts and no hits in his first five games,” ESPN’s David Schoenfield wrote. “After the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, Devers said he wasn’t open to moving from third base — though he eventually reversed course about a move to DH and said he’s ready to help the team win.”
There are legitimate concerns about Devers’ conditioning. Schoenfield noted that he “spent the offseason rehabbing both shoulders and showed up to camp out of shape.” That’s not what you want to hear about your franchise cornerstone.
But it’s way too early to panic. Devers has been one of baseball’s most consistent power hitters, averaging 32 homers and 96 RBIs over the past four seasons while slashing .279/.354/.519. Since 2019, he’s hit at least 27 home runs every full season.
The slow start is concerning, but five games don’t erase Devers’ track record. His bat will come around. The bigger question is whether he can adjust to the DH role and whether the shoulder issues that required offseason rehab will linger throughout the season.
Boston’s offseason moves, including adding Bregman, were designed to complement Devers and return to contention. For that plan to work, they’ll need their slugger to shake off this early slump and return to his Silver Slugger form.
