“Gotta trim a little bit of fat,” Former Red Sox star wildly CRITICIZES Rafael Devers after struggling start to 2025 season

Rafael Devers stuck out two more times on Sunday and finished the opening series while going 0-for-16 with 12 strikeouts.

“Gotta trim a little bit of fat,” Former Red Sox star wildly CRITICIZES Rafael Devers after struggling start to 2025 season

Rafael Devers (Image via Reddit)

Boston Red Sox’s star Rafael Devers has not enjoyed a good start to the 2025 season. After undergoing a major change in his playing role, he is struggling on the plate. A former Red Sox star on Sunday wildly criticized him.

This season sees Devers play as the Designated Hitter (DH) of the team. After the signing of Alex Bregman from free agency, there had been questions regarding how would play as the 3rd baseman of the team. With Bregman winning the Gold Glove in this position last year, he got the nod to play as the 3B ahead of Devers.

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After the opening three games, Devers created an unwanted MLB record. In the first three matches, he stuck out 10 times and went 0-for-12. This saw him become the first player to strike out 10 times in the first three games of a season.

On Sunday, things did not improve for him. He stuck out 2 more times and failed to register a single hit again. Following the team’s 3-2 loss against the Texas Rangers, former star Jonathan Papelbon delivered some harsh criticism for his performances.

Maybe (Devers) is out of shape… game shape, playing shape. Maybe we gotta trim a little bit of fat… Know what happens when you trim fat? Pigs squeal… You trim fat, pigs squeal. That’s what you’re looking for — for your pigs to squeal. They hit home runs.

Jonathan Papelbon said on NESN

This words from the Red Sox Hall of Famer has received support from some fans on social media. Devers, the 3-time MLB All-Star, did receive support from him earlier on. Papelbon had claimed that the Dominican international would ‘rake’ while playing as the DH of the team.

Last season Devers belted 28 home runs and had 83 RBI while playing in 138 games. Papelbon expressed that as the DH, the 28-year-old would stay healthier which would benefit the team.

Ex-MLB star comes into defense of Rafael Devers following slump in form

The one thing the Boston Red Sox and it’s fans did not wanted to see this season was the slump in form of Rafael Devers. While it’s just been 4 games and there are still 158 more games to come, this form of him has become a concern for many. An Ex-MLB star came into the defense on Sunday following this dip.

Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers (Image via X/@MLBONFOX)

In a post on Instagram, the MLB on FOX account shared an image of Devers sitting in the dugout with his head down. The post highlighted the slump of Devers (0-for-16 with 12 K’s).

Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Matt Kemp would later comment on this. The 3-time MLB All-Star expressed that form takes a hit when not exactly playing on the field. As the DH, Devers only hits and does not take to the field during the defense of the Red Sox.

I don’t think people really understand how hard it is to not play the field. It’s like you’re playing but you aren’t. Playing the field keeps you engaged.

Matt Kemp wrote on Instagram

This drop in form also raised questions whether he would play as the third base again. However, manager Alex Cora is sticking to the plan of the team and affirmed that Devers would remain as a DH even on a off-day of Bregman.

Devers though is not the only one who is struggling. The entire team of the Red Sox has so far come up short in the offensive department leading to some worrying signs of Cora.

Alex Cora confident about Red Sox bouncing back to form after Opening Series loss to Braves

After a 5-2 win on the Opening Day, the Boston Red Sox were handed three straight defeats by the Texas Rangers. This meant that the American League East side lost their opening series of the season. Following this loss, manager Alex Cora expressed confidence regarding the team bouncing back to form.

Alex Cora
Alex Cora (Image via The Boston Globe)

One concern for the team was their record with Runners In Scoring Position (RISP). In the last two games, the Red Sox went 1-for-24 with RISP. Cora though, was happy with the team getting 24 at bats.

I’m happy we got 24 at-bats. That trend is going to change. We will hit. We know that. We just got to make sure we don’t chase. If you stay in the zone and obviously make contact, we’re going to be in a good place.

Alex Cora told NESN

Red Sox who are currently bottom of the AL East, will now take on their division rivals, the Baltimore Orioles who are third in the standings. Unlike the Red Sox, the Orioles split their 4 games series 2-2 with the Toronto Blue Jays.