Sports
Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers says he won't move from position
Sep 12, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (11) throws out New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (not pictured) after fielding a ground ball during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers was adamant Monday that he would not move to designated hitter, even if the team insisted.
The Red Sox officially signed free agent Alex Bregman, a Gold Glove third baseman and two-time All-Star, to a three-year, $120 million contract on Saturday. Devers, a three-time All-Star, could potentially become the DH, or Bregman could move to second baseman, depending how the roster shakes out.
“Third base is my position,” Devers, 28, said through translator Daveson Perez while meeting with media in Fort Myers, Fla. “It’s what I play. I don’t know what their plans are. We had a conversation. I made it clear on what my desires were. Whatever happens from here, I don’t know.”
Manager Alex Cora and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow haven’t decided on Bregman’s position, and both were at third base on Monday, the first official day of full-squad workouts. One other piece in the equation could be Kristian Campbell, a top prospect for the Red Sox. If Campbell earns an Opening Day roster spot at spring training, the team would like him to play second base.
Cora was told of Devers’ comments earlier Monday and noted that he and Breslow had met with him on Friday to discuss various scenarios.
“I knew he was going to say that,” Cora said on Monday. “So I wasn’t surprised.”
“Decisions are going to be made here about roster construction and what we’re going to do in the future,” Cora said. “We’re gonna make sure we have the best team possible out there. He has a lot of pride. We know that. He feels like he’s a third baseman. He’s going to work out as a third baseman and then we’re going to make decisions accordingly. But I think here, it’s not about Bregman or Devers or Cora. It’s about the Red Sox. Whatever decision we make is for the benefit of the team.”
Devers signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension in January 2023. The native of the Dominican Republic said on Monday that the team promised him that he would play third base.
“That was definitely was discussed when I signed, that I would be playing this position for a long time,” Devers said. “I don’t know what caused the change. I know I’ve worked really hard on my defense throughout the years. I feel that last year, I had a really good year. I still have a lot more to give. I definitely feel like last year was really good. I hope to continue doing it.
“It was definitely a surprise. I’m somebody that believes in people’s word. I take it to heart. It was very surprising they’d suggest that.”
One major change, as Cora noted, is that Breslow replaced Chaim Bloom as the lead executive in the fall of 2023.
Devers also said he will not play first base and he isn’t demanding a trade, a subject he hasn’t thought about.
He batted .272 with 28 home runs and 83 RBIs with a .354 on-base percentage and .516 slugging percentage in 138 games last season as he dealt with injuries. Devers is a career .279 hitter with 200 homers, 638 RBIs, a .345 on-base percentage and .511 slugging percentage since his big league debut in 2017.
An All-Star in 2021, 2022 and 2024, Devers won Silver Sluggers for American League third basemen in 2021 and 2023.
In 130 games last season, Devers’ 12 errors led AL third basemen. Devers has either led the AL and/or all of Major League Baseball at that position in errors every year since his first full season in 2018.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy's wife shot at home
Nov 7, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy looks on during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s wife is hospitalized in stable condition in Virginia following a shooting in their home on Sunday night, ESPN reported.
A woman identified by the outlet’s sources as Mia Bieniemy, 57, was being treated for “serious injuries” in Loudoun County, where a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said police responded to a call at 7:32 p.m. ET Sunday in Ashburn, Va.
The Chiefs said they are aware of the incident involving the “family” of their 56-year-old assistant coach, who was with the club for training camp Sunday in St. Joseph, Mo. No further details were provided.
Bieniemy rejoined head coach Andy Reid’s staff in January after previous stints with Kansas City as the running backs coach (2013-17) and offensive coordinator (2018-22). He helped the Chiefs win Super Bowls LIV and LVII.
He coached the Chicago Bears’ running backs in 2025 and previously served as the OC for UCLA (2024), the Washington Commanders (2023) and his alma mater Colorado (2011-12).
–Field Level Media
Sports
North Carolina places top Bill Belichick aide on leave
UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi North Carolina placed football general manager Michael Lombardi, one of head coach Bill Belichick’s top aides, on paid administrative leave.
The school announced Monday that the move is effective immediately but declined to provide further details. The Tar Heels open their second season under the legendary coach on Aug. 29 against TCU in Dublin, Ireland.
“As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits,” UNC said in a statement.
ESPN reported that a former front office employee at the university filed a human resources complaint against Lombardi and there is a pending investigation into the situation.
Lombardi, 67, joined Belichick in Chapel Hill in December 2024. He previously worked with the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach in New England, serving as an assistant to the coaching staff from 2014-16.
Lombardi was the general manager and vice president of the Cleveland Browns in 2013 and previously worked in the front offices of the Denver Broncos, then-Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.
North Carolina was 4-8 in Belichick’s debut season in 2025.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Browns' Jerry Jeudy: Clip didn't indicate his preferred QB1
Jun 11, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) catches a pass during minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy insists he wasn’t weighing in on Cleveland’s starting quarterback battle during a livestream clip that quickly went viral.
Jeudy flashes four fingers in the TikTok video, taken by many to indicate his support for the player who wears that jersey number, Deshaun Watson.
“Yall cut the clip perfectly for that narrative,” Jeudy posted Sunday on X, referencing the apparent skip in the clip between when the question is posed and when Jeudy holds up his fingers.
Jeudy, 27, who is entering his third season with the Browns, said he will not weigh in as new head coach Todd Monken and his staff evaluate the training camp competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
“I don’t speak on decisions that aren’t mine to make. I support my teammates/Brothers, I do my job, and control what I can control,” Jeudy posted on X. “Let’s stop creating narrative that aren’t there for likes and clicks. I bet this won’t go viral because it’s too positive/real for y’all.”
Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) in 2025, when Watson missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. Jeudy made the Pro Bowl in his first season with Cleveland in 2024, setting career highs in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,229).
–Field Level Media
Report: Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy's wife shot at home
North Carolina places top Bill Belichick aide on leave
