A few months after the Boston Red Sox first broached the prospect with him, Rafael Devers is set to make his debut at first base. When Bob Melvin unveiled his lineup for the San Francisco Giants game against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, it featured Devers’ name next to “1B” for the first time in the slugger’s career.
Devers, a lifelong third baseman, was moved off the position this offseason when the Red Sox acquired a reigning Gold Glover at the position, Alex Bregman. Boston moved Devers to designated hitter full time, but when Triston Casas suffered a severe injury, they asked Devers to try on a first base mitt.