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By Dakota Randall
Contributing Sports Writer
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Rafael Devers reportedly won't get his way.
The Boston Red Sox superstar opened spring training by refusing to move off third base to accommodate Alex Bregman. Devers, who didn't debut until last weekend due to injuries, recently changed his stance -- publicly, anyway -- but reportedly has considered requesting a trade.
Nevertheless, Devers is tracking to open the season as Boston's designated hitter, according to Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive. In a piece published Tuesday, the two Red Sox insiders reported Kristian Campbell was in line to win the second base competition, an outcome that would lock in Bregman at third base and Devers at designated hitter.
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"Boston's willingness to shake things up by keeping Alex Bregman at third base and moving Rafael Devers to designated hitter was always about keeping second base open for Campbell," Cotillo and McAdam wrote. "That has not been changed over the course of a few exhibition games."
They added: "If Triston Casas (first base), Campbell (second), Trevor Story (shortstop) and Bregman (third base) comprise the starting infield -- and Devers is the designated hitter, as expected -- the Red Sox will likely carry two backup infielders. (David) Hamilton ... is in a strong position to claim one of those spots. Romy Gonzalez would seem to be, too, though the fact he's undergoing an MRI Tuesday after experiencing oblique tightness clouds his status a bit."
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Things obviously can change, but those were definitive takes from two of the most well-connected insiders covering the Red Sox.
It's unclear whether Devers' fate is tied to that of Campbell, who struggled for much of spring training. If Campbell plays his way off the opening day roster, would the Red Sox put Hamilton or Bregman at second base? The latter option likely would result in Devers opening the season at third.
Regardless, this all is going in a clear direction, one that Devers probably won't like.
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