SEATTLE – Just over an hour before first pitch Friday night, the Red Sox announced that Rafael Devers had been scratched from the lineup due to left-shoulder soreness.
Devers went 2-for-5 on Opening Night with a double, home run, two batted in, and a strikeout.
It’s a significant break for Seattle, as the third baseman has crushed the Mariners since Day 1 of his big-league career. He made his Major League debut at T-Mobile Park in July 2017, and hit his first home run in the following game. Dating back to June 2018, he’s reached base in each of his last 15 games in Seattle. As of Thursday night, he’s hit .336 with a 1.014 OPS and 10 home runs in 37 career games against the Mariners.
Bobby Dalbec will sub in for Devers. The former top prospect only appeared in 21 big-league games last season, with one start and one complete game at third.