Red Sox's Rafael Devers to Get MRI on Knee Injury; Could Be Placed on IL

Rafael Devers' ailing knee could result in the Boston Red Sox star landing on the injured list.

Manager Alex Cora said prior to Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians that Devers will undergo an MRI after experiencing more pain in his left knee.

Cora described the MRI as precautionary and more to give Devers peace of mind.

Devers left Tuesday's game against the Guardians in the eighth inning due to knee discomfort. He told reporters afterward something felt off in the seventh inning after he fielded a groundball from Andrés Giménez.

"I felt it on the ground ball when I threw to second base for the [attempted] double play," said Devers. "Felt it there and after that, I couldn't step on my [left] leg. I don't know what to think about it right now. This is totally new. I've never had any issues with my legs. So that happened today. I don't know what's going on."

Prior to the knee injury, Devers hit a two-run double in the sixth inning. It was his first extra-base hit since hitting a solo homer against the Los Angeles Angels on April 7.

Boston is giving Devers the day off on Thursday, with Connor Wong at DH and Pablo Reyes playing third base.

This four-game series against the Guardians has been costly for the Red Sox. Tyler O'Neill hasn't played since Monday's opener when he collided with Devers in the outfield in the seventh inning of a 6-0 loss.

Cora told reporters on Wednesday that O'Neill was feeling okay, but hadn't done any work on the field and was continuing to be evaluated for a possible concussion despite passing the initial tests.

O'Neill leads the majors with a .750 slugging percentage and 1.209 OPS. His seven homers ranks third in MLB, one behind Mike Trout and Marcell Ozuna.

Cora did have Devers back in the lineup at DH for Wednesday's game. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, lowering his slash line this season to .188/.328/.375 in 58 plate appearances.

The Red Sox won 2-0 on Wednesday night, but have lost six of their last 10 games after a 6-3 start to the season.