The Boston Red Sox logged another much-needed win against the division rival Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. And reporters finally heard from franchise slugger Rafael Devers after several weeks of silence.
Devers answered questions from the media for the first time since mid-May to praise a pair of highly regarded prospects who recently joined him in the Red Sox lineup.
“They’ve been great. They’ve made us better,” Devers said of Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony, according to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. “It helps us a lot to have them in the lineup. It helps me, too.”
Devers also broke his silence about a groin strain that was revealed as a bit of surprise after he was seen failing to hustle down the line on what could have been a base hit several days ago. Devers slowed down halfway to first after hitting a sixth-inning ground ball against the New York Yankees on Sunday.
Following the game, manager Aelx Cora revealed that Devers was dealing with an injury. But it seems that the slugger has recovered.
“I’m feeling better now,” Devers said. “It’s better running.”
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The Red Sox will need Devers at full health if they’re going to turn around what has been a disappointing season so far. The team has a losing record and sits at fourth place in the American League East even after two wins in a row against the Rays.
The team has Thursday off before welcoming the Yankees to Fenway for a three-game series.
“We’re getting that good feeling,” Cora said, following Wednesday's win, according to Abraham.
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