Red Sox Journal: Team staying positive with Devers

 BALTIMORE — The reminders, from Red Sox manager Alex Cora, or simple clubhouse observations, are frequent.

Rafael Devers is just a 21-year-old trying to make his way through his first full big league season, and he’s struggling right now.

As the team's third baseman of the present and future, Devers has plenty of time to turn things around. Nobody in the organization believes the .572 [...]

 BALTIMORE — The reminders, from Red Sox manager Alex Cora, or simple clubhouse observations, are frequent.

Rafael Devers is just a 21-year-old trying to make his way through his first full big league season, and he’s struggling right now.

As the team's third baseman of the present and future, Devers has plenty of time to turn things around. Nobody in the organization believes the .572 OPS posted by Devers in his last 16 games is a true indicator of his ability. But Cora is making a daily effort to prevent Devers from spiraling mentally.

“One thing I’ve been telling him is don’t let them know that you’re down, because they’re going to bury you,” Cora said. “That’s the way it works at the big-league level. Nobody is feeling sorry for you in this case.”

Devers hasn’t homered since a 4-2 win at Tampa Bay on May 22 and has just five extra-base hits — all doubles — since that date. He’s drawn six walks and struck out 19 times, expanding the zone to chase fastballs up and breaking balls down. J.D. Martinez has been among those making the occasional suggestion to Devers, encouraging him to use the whole field and be patient.

“He’s trying to slow down his front side,” Cora said. “It seems like everything is pulling off. His outs are rollovers, ground balls. He hasn’t hit the ball in the air on a consistent basis. He hasn’t hit the ball to left-center on a consistent basis.”

Devers smiled sheepishly after crushing a pair of home runs off Bartolo Colon in a 5-1 win at the Rangers on May 4. Roughing up a pitcher twice his age was a new experience for Devers, never mind one he idolized while growing up in their native Dominican Republic. His pregame meal prior to one of the four pressure-packed matchups with the Astros included a small bowl of Froot Loops, something you might not see out of a grizzled veteran like Dustin Pedroia, for example.

“He’s showing up every day,” Cora said. “I think structure and preparation is improving. Hopefully he gets going sooner rather than later.”

Making progress

Three members of Boston’s traveling party remain on the disabled list, one of whom seems closer to returning than the others.

The reports were encouraging over the weekend after a pair of outings by reliever Tyler Thornburg (right shoulder). Thornburg appeared Friday and Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket, touching 95 mph on the radar gun in each appearance. He threw 23 of his 33 pitches for strikes over two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk.

“The breaking ball wasn’t there, but the velocity was there,” Cora said. “Repeating his delivery was there. It was a good one for him [on Sunday].”

Thornburg is scheduled to pitch again for the PawSox on Thursday and then either Saturday or Sunday. It’s his second 30-day rehab period after being shut down following a May 22 appearance against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

“This is a guy that, when healthy, everybody knows what he can do,” Cora said. “It’s just a matter of getting there, being able to bounce back. We don’t need a guy that pitches one day and then can’t pitch for three.”

Drew Pomeranz (left biceps tendinitis) played catch for the second time on Sunday but reported a stiff neck when he arrived at the ballpark on Monday. Pedroia (left knee inflammation) received treatment again on Monday but has yet to resume baseball activities.

Right at home

The Red Sox entered Monday night's game having won nine of their last 10 against the Orioles, including six of seven this season. Boston’s .585 winning percentage at Camden Yards is the highest among visiting American League teams since the park’s 1992 opening. … Martinez has worn out Baltimore pitching over his last 14 games, homering eight times and piling up a 1.586 OPS. ... Eduardo Rodriguez starts Tuesday night and two of his seven victories this season have been against the Orioles.

— bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25