The Boston Red Sox, unsurprisingly, haven't given up on star designated hitter Rafael Devers just yet.
Despite a historically bad start last weekend, the Red Sox listed Devers as their No. 2 hitter Monday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Devers, a three-time All-Star, opened the year 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts; he's the first player in league history to strike out at least 12 times in a season's first four games.
Red Sox fans quickly expressed their frustration on X (formerly Twitter) upon seeing Devers' name in the lineup.
"Continuing to bat Rafael Devers 2nd in the lineup is an insult to all of Red Sox Nation," one fan wrote.
Added another: "This one is gonna be painful."
Devers, who almost exclusively played third base over his first eight seasons, remains the starting DH. Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed last week the team has no plan to play Devers in the field anytime soon.
"Raffy gonna have 20 K's by the home opener…" a fan commented.
Several Red Sox fans suggested the team send Devers, who signed a 10-year, $313 million extension in 2023, to the minor leagues. Unfortunately for those fans, the Red Sox cannot send Devers to Triple-A without his permission; the two-time Silver Slugger has no minor-league options remaining.
Devers and Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki are the only players thus far with double-digit strikeouts. However, Suzuki struck out 12 times in six games, whereas Dever has only played four.
"Worst opening series in the entire history of Major League Baseball," read one comment. "In over a century of baseball opening weekends, Devers is the worst player ever."
"Moving Devers from 3rd to DH is and was stupid!" another user wrote. "He's a superstar and you're messing with him!"
