Rafael Devers's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) is back in action for Friday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers and right-hander Casey Mize at Comerica Park, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. Rookie Nick Sogard will get another start at third and will hit seventh for the BoSox. Devers has been dealing with issues in both of his shoulders for most of the year and took the last three days off to rest up this week. Now that he's back, fantasy managers will want to get him back in their lineups in redraft leagues against Mize, who will be making his first start in two months due to a hamstring strain. Hopefully, the time off this week can break Devers out of his current slump at the plate. The 27-year-old Dominican has gone 10-for-43 (.233) in his last 11 games, although he does have three home runs and eight RBI in that span.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday for the series finale at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Rookie Nick Sogard will make the start at the hot corner and will bat eighth against Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis. Devers has been battling through issues in both of his shoulders for much of the year and will now miss his third straight game as a result. However, the Red Sox expect him back for Friday's series opener in Detroit against the Tigers, so fantasy managers shouldn't have to wait much longer to get him back. Devers is one of the best hitters in the game, but he has had a down month in August, going 21-for-88 (.239) with four home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, 11 walks and 25 strikeouts in 22 games played. Hopefully, the time off this week will get him back on track when he returns this weekend.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) has been playing with discomfort in both of his shoulders for quite a while, and manager Alex Cora decided to give him two days in a row off on Tuesday and Wednesday. The plan is for Devers to return either on Thursday in the series finale at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays or for Friday's series opener at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers. He tweaked his left shoulder swinging in the cage in spring training and then had a hard landing on his right shoulder while diving for a ground ball at Coors Field on July 23. "He's not getting worse but he's not getting any better," said Cora. "If he needs two or three [days off], we'll do it. We have to take care of him. And I think it's smart to do." Fantasy managers will want to get Devers back in their starting lineups when he's active again.