Alex Cora joked when the press asked him about a potential long-term solution to the Red Sox’s first base problem. «Around the world — whew,» he said when asked if anyone had expressed interest in filling that spot. «A lot of people.»
But he was clear once again about what he said on Saturday, a day after Triston Casas suffered a patellar tendon rupture: Rafael Devers will not play first base.
«No,» he answered reporters covering the team on Tuesday, after being asked if he had reconsidered the idea of the Dominican-born player moving to first base. He was emphatic again when asked if he planned to discuss it with him soon: «No.»
Masataka Yoshida has been at Fenway Park for the past five days. The outfielder suffered a shoulder injury and underwent surgery back in October. While he played 11 games during Spring Training, he hasn’t played since then due to ongoing soreness.
Yoshida spoke with some reporters on Tuesday afternoon. He told The Athletic that “hitting feels fine, but throwing from 120 feet still causes pain,” according to the report.
That comment sparked a possible idea: the Japanese-born player could take over the DH spot, allowing Rafael Devers to play first base.
“I know he’s frustrated — I think we all are,” said Alex Cora on Tuesday. “It was a major surgery. We haven’t rushed him. We’ve been very patient, and we’ll continue to be.”
For now, Cora is sticking with the plan. On Tuesday, Abraham Toro was in the lineup as the starting first baseman, marking his first start with the Boston Red Sox. He and Romy González will continue to platoon at the position.
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Alex Cora also announced on Tuesday that first baseman Triston Casas has been released from the hospital and is now at home. The infielder successfully underwent surgery for a patellar ligament rupture on Sunday. “It wasn’t the worst-case scenario,” said Cora. “He’s in a lot of pain.”
