Inbox: Will Devers be ready for callup in ’17?

Will Rafael Devers be ready for a callup anytime in 2017? — Mike J., Portland, Ore.

Now that Yoan Moncada is with the White Sox and Andrew Benintendi is expected to hold down left field in Boston, Devers instantly becomes the prospect all Red Sox fans are going to be paying attention to. I think the 2017 season sounds a little soon for Devers, the Red Sox’s No. 2 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, to be in Boston. Let him get a full season of at-bats at Double-A Portland. Maybe he’s ready for Triple-A Pawtucket by late season. But there’s no reason to rush that, either. Devers recently turned 20 years old, so he has plenty of time. Scouts both inside and outside the Red Sox’s organization are optimistic about the kind of power Devers will develop.

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What has become of Carson Smith? Will he be back in 2017? — Veronica K., Farmington, Ct.

The side-winding righty had Tommy John surgery in late May, which puts him on track to return by June or July of 2017. That could be a huge addition to the Red Sox, particularly if someone else in the bullpen sustains an injury early in the season.

Will the Red Sox trade Clay Buchholz? — Joshua F., …

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