Red Sox owner John Henry files to Kansas City to meet with disgruntled slugger Rafael Devers

KANSAS CITY Mo AP Rafael Devers made his feelings known on Thursday On Friday it was Boston Red Sox owner John Henry s turn to share his opinions with the disgruntled slugger A day after Devers stated reporters about his refusal to play first base Henry association president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City to meet with Devers and manager Alex Cora Boston has an opening at first base after Triston Casas ruptured his left knee tendon and had season-ending surgery Red Sox management approached Devers who was moved from third base to designated hitter this spring about filling in at first and Devers declined After he homered and drove in two runs in Thursday s - win over Texas Devers notified reporters They came to me and talked to me about it 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 stated me to put away my glove I wasn t going to play another position other than DH Right now I don t think it would be an appropriate decision by them to ask me to play another position Devers is in the second year of a -year million contract He was Boston s regular third baseman before the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman considered a defensive upgrade in the offseason Devers was reluctant to give up third but was informed he didn t have a choice John spoke directly with Raffy Breslow revealed before Friday s battle against the Royals He felt like it was pivotal based on the situation that unfolded the day prior That included an honest conversation about what we value as an organization and that means to be great teammates for each other Breslow would not give details about the conversation but noted John had a productive conversation and that s where we stand right now Devers started at DH on Friday Where he plays is kind of secondary I think to the other conversations explained Breslow who spent years as a pitcher in the majors including five with the Red Sox That decision was never going to be made on a couch in an office in Kansas City Cora declared it would be an ongoing discussion Obviously having everybody here and in the same place it means a lot not only for us that are on the ground but the players and to Raffy too the manager explained So I thought it was good When solicited if Devers would start taking grounders at first Cora responded tersely No that s not the plan right now The plan is to keep having conversations he announced The question now is whether those conversations will lead to a resolution Devers can embrace AP MLB https apnews com hub mlb Source