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Rafael Devers had a glove on Tuesday when he debuted in the first base under San Francisco Giants’ second game in a three-game series with Atlanta Braves.
Playing defense was pretty much a surprise, considering that Devers was firm in his desire to deal exclusively to deal with designated hit duties when he was with his former team, Boston Red Sox. But Devers’ comments after the game were perhaps even more surprising.
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San Francisco Giants appointed Hitter Rafael Devers (16) responds after heading out against Atlanta is bravening during the third round of Truist Park on July 23, 2025 in Cumberland, Georgia. (Dale Zanine/Imag- Pictures)
Devers said he actually prefers to play defense rather than only gathering a bat during MLB game.
“It keeps me active. It keeps my head out of just thinking about the next bat,” Devers said, according to San Francisco Chronicle. “I’d rather be on the field than in the cage hitting all the time and thinking about the next bat.”
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Rafael Devers had a tense spring training. During the exhibition period, Red Sox Manager Alex Cora and Devers seemed to be in odds on whether he would spend time on the baseball diamond that covered the third base.
Shortly before the opening day, Cora Devers confirmed would handle the team’s designated hit duties full time. But when Boston’s first Baseman Triston Casas suffered a serious injury, it led to another proposal from the Red Sox Messing.
San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers warms up before a baseball match against Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The former Red Sox jug and the franchise’s current chief baseball consultant, Craig Breslow, brought the idea that Devers covering the first base in the future reported the New York Post in May. However, the three-time MLB all-star reportedly closed the idea.
San Francisco Giants appointed hitter Rafael Devers (16) goes off the field against Atlanta is bravening during the first place in Truist Park on July 23, 2025 in Cumberland, Georgia. (Dale Zanine/Imag- Pictures)
During his public counter -movement of the potential position change, Derver’s Red Sox ‘past instructions related to him cited with him using his glove.
“I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time they can’t expect me to play every single position out there,” Devers said via a translator Boston Globe reported in May. “In the spring training they talked to me and told me basically to remove my glove that I would not play any other position but DH.”
Devers had two basicits during his first basic debut with San Francisco. Giants eventually celebrated a 9-0 win over Braves Tuesday. Giants also won Wednesday’s match against Atlanta to win the three-game series.
