Report: Devers blindsided by lack of communication moving off 3B

Tensions between Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox may be rooted in a lack of communication during spring training.

Devers felt blindsided when the Red Sox asked him to move off third base to designated hitter after the signing of Alex Bregman in February, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The situation escalated Thursday when Devers refused to play first base following Triston Casas' season-ending injury, prompting a face-to-face meeting Friday with team owner John Henry.

"I think Raffy was clearly frustrated with the situation," said Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI. "My reaction was that potentially there was some misunderstanding on the communication, or an opportunity to provide communication. Hopefully, that was a step in the right direction here."

Breslow, who didn't attend the meeting, reiterated his focus on the team's best interests, emphasizing that tough conversations and decisions are part of his role.

"There will be times where I believe acting in the best interests of the organization is probably going to be difficult and uncomfortable, and I have to do it anyway," he said. "Especially for someone who has undergone pretty significant transitions in roles over the last few months, but a difficult conversation is not a reason to avoid."

The Red Sox have deployed utility players Romy Gonzalez and Abraham Toro at first base in a platoon split since Casas' injury.

Devers, meanwhile, has settled in at the plate after a slow start. The three-time All-Star has gone deep six times and driven in 26 runs while leading the American League in walks (29) and strikeouts (47).

Bregman has been a slam-dunk fit at third base in Boston, emerging as an early MVP candidate with a .979 OPS (172 OPS+).