Red Sox Injury News: Rafael Devers dealing with tight hamstring

The Boston Red Sox lost a key member of their lineup Wednesday when Rafael Devers was removed from the series finale against Minnesota with an injury.

The Red Sox were able to lock up their series against the Twins on Wednesday with a big-time win but in that win, they also lost. Rafael Devers would exit the game late with a hamstring injury that has plagued him before. He would get a hit during the fifth inning and as he tried to run the bases something looked off.

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Devers has been one of if not THE most important member of this year’s Red Sox lineup. When he’s at the plate more often than not he’s either getting on base or rounding them all. His defense has also gone from a liability to confident in the span of months. The work he’s putting into every facet of the game is paying dividends for the Red Sox on a nightly basis.

Devers spoke to the media after the victory on Wednesday and was very honest with how he felt and what he was thinking.

“I felt it immediately, especially after that hit,” Devers said. “That’s why when I went to third I couldn’t go as aggressive as I wanted to.”

Raffy has been a major contributor for the Red Sox in every aspect. Yeah, he isn’t perfect but it seems like when he’s in the batter’s box he’s seeing beach balls and has the confidence to swing at ’em. At this point in the season, the Sox can’t afford to lose any of their power players and Devers is the biggest in the bunch right now.

“I just felt it was a little bit tight,” Devers said. “It’s not as bad as what I dealt with last year. And hopefully I can go out there and play but it’s up to the coaches to see if they let me play on Friday.”

Boston finds themselves within striking distance of the top of the division and can’t afford to lose Raffy for any significant time. As of now, it looks like he won’t be playing in the series opener against Toronto on Friday. This is the right move by Alex Cora and the Red Sox as they need to make up as much ground as they can prior to the All-Star break.

“He’s OK. Day-to-day. Most likely we’ll stay away from him on Friday,” Cora said. “He’ll get treatment tomorrow. He said he was OK at first and then when he got to third I’m like, ‘Nah. Let’s not take a chance here.’ So he came out of the game just in time.”

Toronto is in town for a three-game stand and this could give Boston a solid shot at adding some more tallies to the win column. The Blue Jays series kicks off a homestand that will also bring the White Sox to Fenway before the Red Sox head to London to face the Yankees. These next six games will be monumental in relation to the rest of the season and having a healthy Devers will be key.

Losing Raffy for any significant amount of time could be damaging to any chances the Red Sox have of repeating as World Champions. If he has to miss a game or two against Toronto to get him healthy then it’s more than worth it. Devers has become a major component of the machine for Boston and it doesn’t work as well with him not included.