Cora: Bregman will play 3B, Devers moving to DH

The Boston Red Sox will look a little bit different on Opening Day.

Newcomer Alex Bregman will start Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers at third base, while All-Star Rafael Devers will slide over to designated hitter.

"We made a decision," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told WEEI in Boston. "Alex is going to play third, Raffy's going to DH. We all are in the winning business. And he (Devers) understands that."

Devers turned heads in spring training when he told the Red Sox he wasn't interested in playing DH. He later softened his stance, saying "I'm just ready to play."

"He's been working hard, not only with his swing, but the routine, of course," Cora said. "It's a little bit different."

Devers has only 21 games of experience at DH during his eight-year MLB career. He's struggled defensively at third base and ranked in the eighth percentile in Baseball Savant's outs above average in 2024.

The Red Sox signed Bregman to a three-year, $120-million contract in February after the two-time World Series champion took home his first career Gold Glove at third base with the Houston Astros last season.