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The Boston Red Sox enjoyed some heroics from their franchise slugger on Saturday and they came at a critical time.
Rafael Devers hit the first walk-off homer of his career to even the team's series with the Atlanta Braves as it looks to dig itself out of a losing record. And the dramatic win was even more timely as it might have signaled a turnaround for Devers amid some clubhouse drama.
After openly refusing to vacate his long-held position at third base for free agent signee Alex Bregman, Devers had accepted a designated hitter role to start the season. Then, after a season-ending injury to first baseman Triston Casas, the Red Sox asked Devers to make another position change and substitute for his injured teammate.
Devers publicly ripped the front office for that request, prompting team owner John Henry to fly to Kansas City and meet with Devers personally.
Neither Henry nor Devers have been willing to detail that conversation until now, as Devers finally broke his silence on the discussion with a cryptic four-word message.
"That's in the past," Devers said of his meeting with Henry and the other drama surrounding his potential move to first base, according to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey.
That answer seemed to clarify that Devers wouldn't be revealing any more specific details about his meeting with Henry for the foreseeable future. And it might have also shut down any possibility that Devers will be moving to first base.
Instead, the team has been giving rookie Kristian Campbell some practice reps at the position. If Campbell demonstrates he's ready to take on the first base role, that could open up the infield for another prospect to join the big-league team.
In any case, it seems as though whatever was said between Devers and Henry in their sit-down is going to remain between them, at least for now.
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