Latest news with #designatedhitter
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani sends bold message after first time pitching for team
The post Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani sends bold message after first time pitching for team appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Los Angeles Dodgers got a long-awaited look at their two-way superstar on the mound Monday night, and Shohei Ohtani didn't disappoint. After more than 21 months away from pitching in an MLB game, Ohtani returned in a big way in his pitching debut for L.A. against the San Diego Padres. Advertisement In his first time on the mound for the Dodger Blue, Ohtani allowed one earned run on two hits in a tightly managed first inning. More importantly, he lit up the radar gun. In his first pitching appearance since August 2023, the three-time MVP averaged 99.1 mph on nine four-seam fastballs and topped out at 100.2 mph. According to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter by Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett, Ohtani was initially aiming for less. 'Shohei Ohtani said he planned to sit 95-96 mph tonight. Excitement of the moment pushed it higher (he averaged 99.1 mph on 9 four seam fastballs and topped out at 100.2 mph)' Despite some early command issues and a brief outing, Ohtani's return was a clear statement both to the crowd at Dodger Stadium and to the league. It wasn't just raw power on display, it marked a pivotal step in his recovery and evolving role with the club. Advertisement After finishing his one-inning start, Ohtani stayed in the lineup as the designated hitter and made a major impact. He went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs, helping lead Los Angeles to a 6–3 win in this critical Dodgers vs. Padres divisional matchup. His performance also helped the team notch its 44th win of the season, adding momentum to a roster that's battled injuries across its starting rotation. This return may not have lasted long, but the significance was huge — both on the field and for what it signals long term. The Dodgers have chosen a nontraditional approach by bringing Ohtani back directly to MLB action rather than easing him through a minor-league rehab. That decision appears justified after Monday's explosive showcase of both pitching velocity and offensive production. Ohtani's debut may have lasted just one inning on the mound, but it left no doubt — baseball's most unique weapon is back, ready to impact both sides of the game as the Dodgers gear up for another World Series push. Related: Padres ace Dylan Cease scoffs at Andy Pages' over-the-top reaction to HBP Related: Padres' Manny Machado sends warning to Dodgers 'superstars' after controversial HBP
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Cora confirms Rafael Devers ‘is my DH' amid Red Sox positional drama
The post Alex Cora confirms Rafael Devers 'is my DH' amid Red Sox positional drama appeared first on ClutchPoints. Rafael Devers served as the Boston Red Sox's third baseman for the majority of his healthy seven seasons. However, Boston brought in Alex Bregman this offseason, bumping Devers off of his normal spot in the hot corner. Alex Cora and the organization told their star slugger that he would be the team's designated hitter at the beginning of the season. However, an injury to Triston Casas left a hole at first base. When Cora asked Devers to fill the hole, the 28-year-old refused, making headlines in the process. Advertisement Weeks later, the Red Sox have turned to Abraham Toro to play at first base. After a dramatic few days around the team, Devers has settled back into his role and leads Boston's offense. A good showing against the New York Yankees this weekend would help the Red Sox re-enter the three-team race for second place in the American League East. Despite their recent success, Cora does not anticipate Devers coming around to his point of view, according to Boston Globe writer Tim Healey. 'We talk, but he's my DH,' the manager said about Devers' role. The Red Sox can have success with Devers as their DH. However, his refusal to be flexible leaves Cora in a tough spot. With Casas out, Toro and Romy Gonzalez have done what they can at first base. Unfortunately, they do not offer the same power at the plate as Devers does. Advertisement The drama surrounding the Red Sox's star has spurred fans to request a trade. While that is unlikely, Boston finds themselves with some tough decisions to make this summer. Devers appears off the table as his dominant stretch continues, but the changes around him could be severe. At this point in the season, Cora doubts that Devers will play defense at all in 2025, regardless of the position. Casas' return, along with Bregman being available at third will help him enter 2026 with confidence. It is not an issue now, but it could be something that the Red Sox address in the offseason. Whether that means a trade or Cora approaching Devers again has fans curious. Related: Red Sox trade pitcher to Reds Related: Red Sox' Alex Bregman reveals feat Roman Anthony has already accomplished that he hasn't
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers shoots down move to 1B after Triston Casas injury, lays into Red Sox front office
Rafael Devers entered the season under a cloud of controversy due to his disinterest in moving from third base to designated hitter. Now he's balking at another move. The longtime third baseman has been a full-time designated hitter this season, after the Boston Red Sox signed another All-Star at the position, Alex Bregman, over the offseason. However, the first-base position is now wide open after Triston Casas' season-ending ruptured patellar tendon. Some thought Devers would be a natural solution, given that third basemen frequently appear on first-base depth charts, but the 28-year-old shot the idea down and then some on Thursday. Through an interpreter, he told reporters that the front office approached him about the move, and his answer was a firm "no," via Christopher Smith of MassLive: 'They had the conversation with me,' Devers said through translator Daveson Perez. 'I don't think me personally it's the best decision after they asked me to play a different position, and I only have two months of playing this position. "To all of a sudden have me try to play another position — so from my end, it doesn't seem like a good decision." That response alone would've been some of the harshest criticism a player has leveled at his own front office in recent years, but Devers kept going. He questioned the idea to even ask him and implied that he still isn't happy about the DH move: 'I know I'm a ballplayer but at the same time, they can't expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove — that I wasn't going to play any other position but DH. So right now, I just feel like it's not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position." He basically told the front office that figuring out first base is their job, not his: "Now I think they should do their job essentially and hit the market and look for another player [to play first base]. I'm not sure why they want me to be in between the way they have me now." He also said he thinks they just aren't truthful: 'Yeah. I don't think they stay true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH. And now they are going back on that. So yeah, I don't think they stay true to their word." Finally, he openly questioned the decisions of Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow: 'Here in the clubhouse thankfully the relationship that I have with my teammates is great,' Devers said. 'I don't understand some of the decisions that the GM makes. Next thing you know, someone in the outfield gets hurt, and they want me to play in the outfield. I think I know the kind of player I am. And yeah, that's just where I stand.' It is at this point that we will remind you Devers is in the second year of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with the Red Sox, and his relationship with the team's front office already appears to be on the ropes. Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated earlier this week that he was hesitant to ask Devers before warming up to the idea, and the meeting clearly didn't go well. Devers also made headlines at the start of the season by going hitless with 15 strikeouts in his first 19 at-bats, though he has since somewhat recovered statistically. Entering Thursday, he was slashing .246/.370/.430 with five homers, 23 RBI and an OPS+ of 125, which means he has been 30% better than MLB average when adjusted for park. He ranks second in the AL in strikeouts at 46 but also leads the league in walks with 28. Clearly, Devers is committed to being a third baseman and is willing to wait out Bregman, who has an opt-out after both 2025 and 2026, to get the position back. He's not making any friends by refusing to play elsewhere on defense, though, especially given that 31 different players have played both third and first base already this season, per Stathead. In the meantime, with Casas out, the Red Sox have been using utility men Romy González and Abraham Toro at first base. Further complicating Devers' love for third base is that the stats just don't think he's very good at it, and he's probably not getting better with age. By Defensive Runs Saved, Devers has been a negative at third every season of his career save for 2021, with a total of 61 additional runs allowed at the hot corner since his debut in 2017. A move to first might very well come for Devers over the next few years, whether he likes it or not.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers shoots down move to 1B after Triston Casas injury, lays into Red Sox front office
Rafael Devers entered the season under a cloud of controversy due to his disinterest in moving from third base to designated hitter. Now, he's balking at another move. The longtime third baseman has been a full-time designated hitter this season after the Boston Red Sox signed another All-Star at the position, Alex Bregman, over the offseason. However, the first base position is now wide open for Boston after Triston Casas' season-ending ruptured patellar tendon. Advertisement Some thought Devers would be a natural solution given that third basemen frequently make an appearance on the first base depth charts, but the 28-year-old shot the idea down and then some on Thursday. Through an interpreter, he told reporters the front office had approached him about the move and that his answer was a firm "no," via Christopher Smith of MassLive: 'They had the conversation with me,' Devers said through translator Daveson Perez. 'I don't think me personally it's the best decision after they asked me to play a different position and I only have two months of playing this position. "To all of a sudden have me try to play another position — so from my end, it doesn't seem like a good decision." That response alone would have been some of the harshest criticism a player has leveled at his own front office in recent years, but Devers just kept going. He questioned the idea to even ask him and implied he still isn't happy about the forced DH move: 'I know I'm a ballplayer but at the same time, they can't expect me to play every single position out there. In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove — that I wasn't going to play any other position but DH. So right now, I just feel like it's not an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position." Advertisement He basically told them figuring out first base was their job, not his: "Now I think they should do their job essentially and hit the market and look for another player (to play first base). I'm not sure why they want me to be in between the way they have me now." He outright said he thinks they just aren't truthful: 'Yeah. I don't think they stay true to their word. They told me I was going to be playing this position, DH. And now they are going back on that. So yeah, I don't think they stay true to their word" And he openly questioned the decisions of Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow: 'Here in the clubhouse thankfully the relationship that I have with my teammates is great,' Devers said. 'I don't understand some of the decisions that the GM makes. Next thing you know someone in the outfield gets hurt and they want me to play in the outfield. I think I know the kind of player I am. And yeah, that's just where I stand.' It is at this point we will remind you Devers is in the second year of a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with the Red Sox, and his relationship with the team's front office already appears to be on the ropes. Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated he was hesitant to ask Devers earlier this week before warming up to the idea, and the meeting clearly didn't go well. Rafael Devers has not been a happy camper on the Red Sox this season. (Photo By) (Winslow Townson via Getty Images) Devers also made headlines at the start of the season by going hitless in his first 19 at-bats with 15 strikeouts, though he has since somewhat recovered statistically. Advertisement Entering Thursday, he was slashing .246/.370/.430 with five homers, 23 RBI and an OPS+ of 125, which means he has been 30% better than MLB average when adjusted for park. He ranks second in the AL in strikeouts at 46, but also leads the league in walks with 28. Clearly, Devers is committed to himself being a third baseman, and is willing to wait out Bregman, who has an opt-out after both 2025 and 2026, to get the position back. He's not making any friends while refusing to play anywhere else on defense, though, especially given that 31 different players have played both third and first base this season, per Stathead. It is clearly possible. In the meantime, with Casas out, the Red Sox have been using utility men Romy González and Abraham Toro at first base.
