"This is a good time for him to get some rest and take care of it"- Red Sox skipper Alex Cora opens up on Rafael Devers skipping MLB's All-Star game

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers will not be participating in the All-Star game next week. Devers needs to rest on account of left shoulder soreness.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained Rafael Devers' situation in much detail and why this precaution is really necessary for the entire team right now.

"He’s not gonna participate,” Cora said per Mass Live. “Obviously, he has been grinding through a few things, especially his left shoulder. As a group, we believe this is a good time for him to get some rest and take care of it. MLB is going to announce it in the upcoming hours."

Cora credited Devers and the medical staff for ensuring that the sore shoulder hasn't significantly hindered the Red Sox star's performance. He also emphasized that Devers and the team are looking at a much bigger picture than appearing in the All-Star game.

"It’s a testament to our medical staff. They do an amazing job with him during the week. Raffy has learned how to be efficient with his work and staying healthy. Talking to him, we all believe there’s more here. We’re shooting for something bigger than the All-Star Game. For him to be healthy is the most important thing," Cora added.

Devers is doing wonders on the field this season. He has hit 21 homers and has 55 RBIs with a .293 batting average. He even hit two home runs against the New York Yankees this Sunday and led his team to the series victory. These stats helped him get the third All-Star game selection of his career.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Jordan Westburg will join the American League team as the replacement for Rafael Devers in the All-Star game.

Rafael Devers is the true successor of David Ortiz against the Yankees

Since David Ortiz's retirement in 2016, the Red Sox have searched for a consistent threat against their division rivals, the New York Yankees. Rafael Devers has emerged as that Ortiz-level dominant force.

In 106 career games against New York, Devers boasts a solid .269 batting average with a .871 OPS. But the real damage comes in the form of 28 home runs and 71 RBIs.

Devers has proven to be successful at Yankee Stadium just like David Ortiz. He has a batting average (.268) with a slightly lower OPS (.839). He also has a staggering 16 home runs in just 67 games.

In the recent series with the Yankees, he delivered another jaw-dropping performance. He collected his 1,000th career hit along with a home run on Saturday, followed by a crucial two-homer performance that clinched the series victory on Sunday.