Former Red Sox Pitcher Sounds Off on Rafael Devers' Hitting Struggles
Rafael Devers' adjustment to designated hitter is turning out to be more of a learning curve than any could have thought.
Devers set a new MLB record to start the Boston Red Sox season. No player before him has ever struck out 12 times in the first four games of a campaign.
Advertisement
He was also the first big leaguer to fan 10 times in the first three games.
The former third baseman went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers with a walk to put the tying run on in the ninth the highlight of his season so far.
During NESN's "Extra Innings Live," former Red Sox closing pitcher Jonathan Papelbon had a unique way of phrasing Devers' need to get into better physical shape.
'Maybe he's out of shape,' Papelbon said. 'Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat, Jim. You know what happens when you trim fat?'
'Well, we know they're not in hitting shape, right? Because they're not hitting. OK,' Red Sox legend Jim Rice replied. 'We're talking about trimming fat. What happens?'
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael DeversTim Heitman-Imagn Images
'Pigs squeal,' Papelbon answered.
Advertisement
'Where is this going?' show host Tom Caron responded.
'I'm just saying, you trim fat, pigs squeal,' Papelbon repeated. 'That's what you're looking for, your pigs to squeal. And hit home runs. But is it the shoulders? Is he in shape? We don't know these things. But to me, it looks like the swing is just a little bit behind.'
"Pigs squeal" is Papelbon's expression for making noise off of bats, hence home runs being hit.
Devers is now 0-for-16 in 2025.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Carlos Mendoza Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision in Mets' Loss to Braves
Carlos Mendoza Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision in Mets' Loss to Braves originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Mets improved on Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, but it wasn't enough to win on Tuesday. They fell 5-4 to the Atlanta Braves after third baseman Austin Riley's walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, extending their losing streak to four games. Advertisement Mets southpaw David Peterson delivered a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits over seven-plus innings. The veteran pitched to two hitters in the eighth, but manager Carlos Mendoza yanked him after he allowed a walk and a single. Although New York came into that frame with a 4-1 lead, reliever Reed Garrett couldn't bail out Peterson. Not only did he allow the starter's runners to score, but he coughed up another run on designated hitter Marcell Ozuna's game-tying double. Mendoza explained his decision to allow Peterson to pitch into the eighth, via SNY. New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson (23)Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images "Especially with the way he was throwing the ball, he's at 82 pitches before the inning started with the nine-hole," he said. "He walked him there, you still like your chances of getting a ground ball, he was getting a lot of ground balls, and with a three-run lead." Advertisement "It just didn't happen today, we were one pitch, one strike away from getting out of it," he continued. "We just couldn't get the job done." New York is now tied with the Chicago Cubs for the NL's best record and is two games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. Right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn will start for the club against Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale on Wednesday night. After this Braves series, the Mets will finish their road trip vs. the Philadelphia Phillies. Related: Brett Baty's Message After Absence From Mets Lineup on Tuesday Related: Mets Announce Injury News After Third Straight Loss This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Yankees Reliever Jake Cousins Likely Facing Tommy John Surgery
Yankees Reliever Jake Cousins Likely Facing Tommy John Surgery originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For Yankees reliever Jake Cousins, the old saying about how things must get worse before they can get better certainly applies. Advertisement Over the weekend, Yankees Manager Aaron Boone told reporters that Cousins is likely headed towards Tommy John Surgery on his right elbow. Cousins, 30, suffered a forearm strain during Spring Training, was placed on the 60-day IL with a flexor tendon strain and then had his rehab assignment paused by pectoral discomfort in the middle of May. New York Yankees' reliever Jake Cousins. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images After resuming his rehab, Cousins initially struggled before being shut down again, this time with a UCL injury that almost certainly will lead to Tommy John Surgery. While it's true that some pitchers have been able to avoid that particular surgery and return to the mound after receiving PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) injections, that is usually only if the tear in the UCL is minor. Advertisement The Yankees have not yet stated the severity of Cousins' UCL injury, but given everything that has happened to him this year, one would have to believe that it is significant. Another thing for the team and pitcher to consider is what happened to Gerrit Cole. New York's ace was initially sidelined at the start of last season with an elbow injury but sought to return to the mound without undergoing surgery. Cole had an up-and-down half-season before eventually undergoing surgery on March 11th of this year, likely knocking him out until at least the middle of 2026. So, in Cousins' case, if the tear is indeed more than a minor one, perhaps it would be best to get the surgery done and start the clock toward his potential return at the tail-end of 2026/start of the 2027 season, rather than continue to push it off and potentially not come back until the middle of 2027. Either way, New York is in desperate need of bullpen help this year and Cousins is not going to be the answer. Advertisement Related: Yankees Bullpen Options Emerging As Trade Market Begins To Take Shape Related: Yankees Legend Andy Pettitte Opens Up About Faith and HGH Scandal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Ben Rice may be part of lineup twist Boone hinted at
Ben Rice may be part of lineup twist Boone hinted at originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Giancarlo Stanton could be back in the Yankees' lineup as soon as this weekend. And when he returns, he'll take over the designated hitter spot. That means fewer chances for Ben Rice—at least at DH. Advertisement The Yankees don't have everyday at-bats waiting for him. Paul Goldschmidt has settled in at first base and is hitting over .300. Rice has shown he belongs, but there's no clear path to keep his bat in the lineup every day. Boone hinted at a workaround. New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Orioles at Camden Yards.© Ken Blaze-Imagn Images 'Ben Rice could get some starts behind the plate once Giancarlo Stanton returns,' the manager said, according to The New York Post's Greg Joyce. So far, Rice, a catcher in the minor leagues, has mostly appeared behind the plate in late blowouts. But JOBoone praised the way he's handled those moments—and all the daily work fans don't see. Advertisement 'He's earned everything in his pregame work and in the late innings we've given him,' Boone said earlier this month. It's not just lip service. Rice has 12 home runs in just over 50 games and an OPS north of .800. He's hitting .240 and hasn't looked overwhelmed at the plate. Goldschmidt, meanwhile, is batting .310 with a .825 OPS and leads the team in doubles. He's not getting days off without a good reason. With Stanton locked in at DH and Goldschmidt at first, Rice's next shot at meaningful innings might come behind the plate. That's where he played in college, and it might be the only spot in the current lineup where there's room. Advertisement Boone's comments suggest the Yankees aren't about to stash Rice on the bench. He won't be in the lineup every night, but it sounds like they're trying to keep him close to it. Stanton returns soon. Rice's real opportunity might follow. Related: Giancarlo Stanton's Rehab Surge Offers Hope For Weekend Return Related: Marcus Stroman Takes Surprising Turn As Yankees Face Big Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
