Discussing third-base options in light of Alex Bregman’s injury, Red Sox manager Alex Cora initially said ‘No’ to Rafael Devers returning to his old job, then backtracked.

As of now, it won’t be DH Rafael Devers who recently told chief baseball officer Craig Breslow he would not play first base. Breslow asked him to do it after Triston Casas ruptured his patellar tendon and underwent season-ending surgery.

Despite making significant improvements on paper over the offseason, the Boston Red Sox — at 26-26 entering Saturday — appear to be headed towards another mediocre campaign and perhaps, a fourth consecutive finish outside of the playoff picture.