Rafael Devers will not participate in the All-Star game because of a sore shoulder. Devers was named to his third All-Star team on Sunday evening. Charles Krupa/Associated Press
BOSTON — Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has been scratched from the All-Star Game with left shoulder soreness.
Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Devers has been dealing with an injury in his AC joint for a while. Although the 27-year-old Dominican was in the lineup for Tuesday night’s game against Oakland, Cora said “he’s been grinding through a few things.”
“As a group, we believe it’s a good time for him to get some rest and take care of it,” Cora said.
Cora said the team notified Major League Baseball, which replaced Devers with Baltimore infielder Jordan Westburg.
Devers is batting .293 with 21 homers and 55 RBI this season, earning his third All-Star Game selection. He homered twice in Sunday night’s victory over New York in Yankee Stadium.
The Red Sox took two of three from the Yankees and have won 14 of their past 19 to improve to nine games over .500, matching a season high. Boston is 7 1/2 games behind Baltimore in the AL East and in possession of the third AL wild-card spot entering Tuesday.
“We all believe there’s more here, we’re shooting for something bigger than the All-Star Game,” Cora said. “For him to be healthy, that’s the most important thing.”
THE RED SOX optioned left-handed reliever Cam Booser to Triple-A Worcester on Monday three days after recalling him to replace Chris Martin, who is on the injured list with a sore right elbow.
Boston made a series of roster moves Tuesday before opening a three-game series against Oakland. The Red Sox recalled infielder/outfielder Jamie Westbrook from Worcester, added right-handed pitcher Trey Wingenter to the 40-man roster, optioned infielder Enmanuel Valdez to Triple-A and designated Naoyuki Uwasawa for assignment.
The Red Sox acquired Wingenter, 30, in a trade with the Tigers on Saturday. In 90 major league games with San Diego and Detroit, Wingenter has a 5.28 ERA with 121 strikeouts in 87 innings.
Booser pitched two scoreless innings in Friday’s win over the Yankees and now has a 3.00 ERA (10 earned runs in 30 innings) in the majors this year. He has struck out 34 and walked seven. He posted a couple rough outings during his time in the minors after being sent down June 24 and has a 7.00 ERA in nine Triple-A innings so far this year.
Westbrook played in 11 games for the Red Sox earlier this season, making nine starts at second base. He is 4 for 18 with a double, home run and four RBI.
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