Red Sox's Rafael Devers Breaks MLB Record with 10 Strikeouts in 1st 3 Games

In most cases, an MLB player would savor setting a record to start a new season. Not all records are created equal, though.

Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers has struck out 10 times already, which is the most ever through the first three games. His last whiff came to lead off the ninth inning in Boston's 4-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Devers is a three-time All-Star and a career .278 hitter. It would be an understatement to say his 0-for-12 mark at the plate so far is uncharacteristic.

Fans would be more likely to write this off as an anomaly were it not for the fact Devers seemed to begrudgingly accept his new role as the full-time designated hitter.

Immediately after the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman, the 28-year-old made it clear he wanted to stay at third base despite Bregman being a better defender at the position.

Ahead of Opening Day, manager Alex Cora confirmed Boston would in fact use Devers at DH to make room for Bregman at the hot corner.

Correlation doesn't always equal causation. Devers downplayed any connection between his offensive struggles and new everyday usage.

"No I think that's in the past," he told reporters. "That was in spring training. Right now, we're in the season. I'm a DH and I feel like you guys need to change the subject, because that is over and I'm the DH."

Still, athletes can become creatures of habit. Devers will have established a routine after occupying third base almost exclusively across the minors and MLB. Going to DH is a major adjustment because now he's spending most of his time in the dugout and clubhouse.

Devers' performance should normalize at some point because he's too good to stay this bad. The Red Sox, however, may have overlooked how much time he'd need to grow accustomed to DH duties.