The San Francisco Giants are facing a decision after Rafael Devers injury news emerged.
Giants Facing Decision After New Rafael Devers Injury originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Designated hitter Rafael Devers is in his ninth major-league season and his first as a member of the San Francisco Giants.
Devers previously spent his career with the Boston Red Sox, debuting in 2017. He blossomed in Boston, earning three trips to the All-Star Game, collecting two Silver Slugger Awards and winning a World Series championship in 2018.
The Red Sox traded Devers to the Giants amid mounting tension between the organization and the slugger, rooted from issues that included his reluctance to switch positions.
In San Francisco, Devers has changed his stance and shown a willingness to play the field, although that transition will not occur this week.
On Tuesday, prior to a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, it was reported that Devers has been experiencing back tightness that has hampered his running and his ability to play first base.
The earliest Devers could take the field at first base would be sometime after the All-Star break, assuming he recovers fully from the back tightness.
DH Rafael Devers won’t debut at first base for Giants until after the All-Star break. His back issue is a real thing, more than the groin issue, and affects his running. So best to not push him to play first anytime soon. No injury list talk for now.
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) July 8, 2025
With Devers remaining at DH, the Giants must decide who will handle first base. Veterans Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith are the primary candidates to platoon at the position until Devers reaches full health.
Through 20 games in 2025, Devers has yet to fully emerge as his best self in San Francisco. He has produced just two home runs, nine RBIs and a .735 OPS—a steep drop-off from his career average of .857.
The Giants are in the midst of a three-game win streak and sit at 50–42, six games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Devers’ return to full health and peak production will be integral to San Francisco’s playoff push down the stretch.
Related: Giants Had Four Words After Rafael Devers News on Thursday
Related: Giants Make Rafael Devers Decision After Injury News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
