The Boston Red Sox have placed third baseman Rafael Devers on the injured list, ruling him out for the rest of the 2025 season due to shoulder inflammation, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. In response, the Red Sox called up infielder Mickey Gasper. Devers had been experiencing pain and discomfort in his shoulder for nearly two months after he dove for a ball and landed on his right shoulder against the Colorado Rockies on July 23.
Since July, the injury negatively impacted his performance; after an impressive .362 batting average in July, Devers’ average fell to .216 in August and .188 in September before his exit from the game. He hit only four home runs in August and none in September, totaling just three RBIs, and struck out 11 times in his last four games.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora commented on Devers’ performance, saying, “Overall, injuries aside, he was one of the best hitters, if not the best hitter in the big leagues for two and a half months, and it was fun to see. I’m disappointed because he’s basically our offense.
He is the guy. The last month it’s been hard to watch.” Earlier in the season, Devers also faced injuries to his other shoulder and knee but managed to become a three-time All-Star. For the season, he has a slash line of .272/.354/.516, with 143 hits, 87 runs, 28 home runs, and 83 RBIs. With the Red Sox struggling to secure a playoff spot and only eight games left in the season, placing Devers on the IL was a sensible decision.
In addition, left-hander James Paxton has announced he will retire at the end of this season. He has been on the injured list since August 12 due to a strained right calf suffered while covering first base against the Houston Astros.
Paxton expressed hope of making it back to pitch again if the team can reach the postseason, but he emphasized his decision to retire, citing his family’s needs and his desire to spend more time at home. “I think I can still compete and help a team win, but my family needs me home,” he said on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast. “I’m looking forward to being with them more.”
