David Ortiz Backs Devers in DH Role \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hall of Famer David Ortiz believes Rafael Devers should decide for himself whether to switch from designated hitter to first base after Triston Casas’ season-ending injury. Ortiz emphasized Devers is excelling in the DH role and deserves the choice. The Red Sox star has rebounded from a slow start, leading MLB in RBIs.
Baseball legend and Hall of Famer David Ortiz has weighed in on one of the Boston Red Sox’s most talked-about roster issues of the 2025 season: whether Rafael Devers should shift from designated hitter to first base. Ortiz, arguably the most iconic designated hitter in franchise history, says the choice should be entirely up to Devers, who has thrived at the plate since being asked to give up his usual position in the infield.
Speaking during his annual charity golf tournament, the David Ortiz Soiree of Heartsthe three-time World Series champion didn’t mince words. “He’s doing great as the DH. They asked for it, and he’s doing great as the DH,” Ortiz told the Associated Press. “It takes time to switch positions, especially midseason. If Devers wants to learn first base, that’s on him. But right now, he’s delivering exactly what they asked of him.”
The issue stems from a series of unexpected changes to the Red Sox roster earlier this year. During spring training, Boston made a major splash by signing former Astros star Alex Bregman to a three-year, $120 million deal, effectively moving Devers out of his longtime role at third base. The team assured Devers that he would be the full-time DH in 2025—a shift that initially caused some friction. Devers was reportedly hesitant but ultimately accepted the role.
Then came a significant blow: first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in early May, rupturing a tendon in his left knee and undergoing surgery. With Casas out, speculation swirled that Devers might slide over to first base, while Masataka Yoshida—another key bat—could take on the DH role. Many in the media and fanbase floated this as a “natural solution” to the lineup shakeup.
Ortiz, however, pushed back on that logic. “Yeah, that’s what people put in their minds,” he said. “But guess what? The kid was asked in spring training to just hit. And now, all of a sudden, you want to switch him over? It takes time.”
Ortiz is in a unique position to comment. As one of the most productive designated hitters in MLB history and a cornerstone of Boston’s championship teams, he understands the demands—and pressures—of the DH role. He also knows the strain of being asked to shift positions, recalling how, in his own career, he would occasionally play first base but was largely defined by his bat.
“Back then, you just wanted to fit in,” Ortiz said, comparing today’s player empowerment to the expectations of his era. “They thought I was going to fit in good at DH and play first once in a while. But it’s a different game now.”
That difference is evident not only in strategy but also in player influence. Devers made headlines last month when he told the Red Sox front office that he was not interested in playing first base. The conversation was serious enough that team owner John Henry flew to Kansas City to speak with him in person and reaffirm the team’s commitment to his role.
Devers’ numbers have silenced many critics. After a historically slow start for the team, he has surged to become one of the most productive hitters in baseball. As of this week, he’s batting .286 with 12 home runs and a league-leading 52 RBIs—a turnaround that places him at the heart of Boston’s offensive production. Given those results, Ortiz emphasized the importance of not disrupting a good thing.
“We asked him to be the DH. Fully asked him to be the DH,” Ortiz said. “It’s a different situation now, sure, but the guy is giving you what you asked for—even if it wasn’t something he fully agreed with.”
United in the belief that the decision should rest with Devers himself, Ortiz avoided drawing hard lines. He didn’t say Devers should never move to first base, but stressed that any such decision should come with practice, preparation, and the player’s full consent.
The team’s current alignment—with Devers at DH and Bregman at third—has begun to pay off offensively. Yet the vacuum at first base remains a real concern, especially with Yoshida also seeing limited action due to rotation-based rest and minor injuries.
Behind the scenes, Red Sox brass must weigh long-term defensive planning with immediate performance. But in Ortiz’s view, Devers has earned the right to have a say in that planning.
Beyond baseball, Ortiz’s remarks came during his charity golf tournamentwhich raises money for the David Ortiz Children’s Fund. The foundation provides life-saving heart surgeries and care for children in New England and Ortiz’s native Dominican Republic. The event drew current and former players, celebrities, and donors, offering Ortiz a high-profile platform to discuss both his philanthropic mission and his insights into the game he loves.
Ortiz’s stance on Devers may influence both fans and leadership alike. As a revered voice in Boston baseball, his support for the Red Sox slugger’s autonomy adds weight to the idea that today’s stars deserve more control over how they contribute—not just where they’re placed on the field.
As the season progresses and the Red Sox aim to remain competitive in a tight AL East race, all eyes will remain on Devers—not just for his bat, but for what the team ultimately asks of him next.
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