Alex Cora Sends Message as Calls Mount to Release Red Sox Player

The Boston Red Sox' bullpen has seen better days, and the team is paying the price in the standings. Boston lost 6-3 to the last-place Baltimore Orioles at home on Monday night after losing 5-3 to the Miami Marlins on Sunday, and they're now tied with the New York Yankees for second place in the AL East.

The bullpen was at fault in both defeats, as it blew a 3-1 lead on Sunday before allowing four runs in three innings on Monday. Starting pitcher Dustin May allowed just two runs across six innings in the latter contest.

Right-hander Jordan Hicks continues to struggle, as he allowed two runs in the ninth inning on Monday. The 28-year-old now has a 6.61 ERA in 28 appearances this season and a 7.07 ERA in 15 outings since the Red Sox acquired him in the Rafael Devers trade.

However, manager Alex Cora remained committed to Hicks in the postgame presser, via NESN.

"Again, he didn't finish the slider. Foul tip with two strikes, then a fastball up, and the guy got to it," he said. "We gotta continue to work with him. We're not gonna give up."

Hicks had a 7.94 ERA in August before Monday's outing, and Boston fans on social media are fed up.

Alex Cora on Jordan Hicks 🎙️

"We have to continue to work with him. We're not going to give up." pic.twitter.com/a2p5SpwsRC

— NESN (@NESN) August 19, 2025

"Aka 'we’re paying him 12 million a year for the next two years, so we can’t DFA him,'" one said.

"So when Hicks has a bad attitude, they’ll continue working with him, but the guy they traded for him was a lost cause?" another asked.

"Trying to justify the package they got from the Devers trade, which we all know was pathetic," another said.

"Let's just stop working with you, Cora," another said.

"Never mind that you're losing games, let's keep using pitchers with ERAs over 6!" another said.

Jordan Hicks' Struggles Highlight Controversial Rafael Devers Trade

Boston shocked the baseball world by dealing Devers to the San Francisco Giants for Hicks, left-hander Kyle Harrison, minor-league outfielder James Tibbs III, and minor-league right-hander Jose Bello. It was considered a cheap package for the franchise star, who had fallen out with the front office over his positional deployment.

The primary benefit for the Red Sox is that the Giants will cover the remaining eight years of Devers' contract, which is worth over $250 million. Otherwise, they must pray that Tibbs and Bello develop well, because Hicks and Harrison (4.48 career ERA) aren't justifying the trade.

Related: Alex Cora Facing Backlash for Aroldis Chapman Decision in Red Sox' Loss to Marlins

Related: Red Sox’ Craig Breslow Facing Backlash After Explaining Trade Deadline Decisions

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.