Newton, Massachusetts (AP) — The Boston Red Sox should leave only designated batsman Rafael Devers to decide whether he wants to start playing first base, Hall of Famer David Ortiz told The Associated Press on Monday.

The Red Sox signed Alex Bregman for a $120 million three-year contract during spring training and told Devers that he would be a full-time DH.

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That was, until first baseman Triston Casas lost his season this season after he ruptured his left knee and had surgery in early May.

The former Red Sox Slugger spoke at his Charity Golf Championship (David Ortiz Soiree of Hearts) and said any move should be up to Devers.

"He did a great job like DH. They asked for it, and he did a great job." "Once CASA's situation dropped... in people's minds, it was: 'Devers went first, (Masataka) Yoshida went to DH, we were a better team. Yes, that's what you think. But, guess what? Guess what the training in spring is?

The 49-year-old Ortiz, who mainly uses DH as DH, did not say that Devers should not make a switch, but any choice should appear after he learned the position.

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"What I'm going to say is: Once, if Devers wanted to practice at first base and wanted to go back and play all defenses, it was all on him." Ortiz sat down with the AP while signing the souvenir for the golfer.

"We asked him to be DH. We asked him to be DH," Big Papi said. "I remember the conversation in spring training. It's another situation, and this guy is doing a great job of asking him for what you ask him. He's giving you your request, even if it's not what he agrees with."

During spring training, Devers was initially balled when they moved to DH.

Last month, Devers told Red Sox that he was not interested in the first game, with owner John Henry flying to Kansas City to meet him.

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After a history-bad start, Devers entered Monday's batting with 12 home runs and a major league lead of 52 RBIs.

Ortiz said the game changed since he was told he would be primarily DH.

"They thought I would be suitable for DH and play for the first time occasionally," he said. "Baseball was different at that time. You just wanted to get used to it."

Ortiz's golf tournament benefited from David Ortiz's Children's Foundation, which raised funds to provide life-saving heart surgery and care for New England and his native Dominican Republic.

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