When Red Sox Expect Rafael Devers’ Return To Lineup

Rafael Devers is out of Boston's lineup for the third straight game when the Red Sox complete their homestand when they host the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Thursday night.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated Devers would return to the batting order as the designated hitter on Friday when Boston travels to Detroit to take on the Tigers at Comerica Park.

"I think for today and the next few days, it makes sense for (Nick Sogard) to play third base," Cora told reporters before Thursday's matchup. "Raffy, we're shooting to DH tomorrow, then again Saturday, and play the field Sunday."

Plugging Devers into the lineup at DH will also allow Cora to give Masataka Yoshida the night off.

"I think it's a good day for Masa tomorrow," Cora said. "With traveling, kind of like giving him an off day. Then we got (Tigers pitcher Tarik) Skubal on Saturday. He'll benefit for that. He'll be ready to pinch hit whenever, and then we'll go from there."

Devers has had a nagging shoulder injury all season and aggravated it late last month in Colorado. Sogard was recalled from Triple-A Worcester after the Red Sox placed David Hamilton on the 10-day injured list with a left index finger fracture he suffered in Boston's win over Toronto on Wednesday.