After declining to do so for the Olde Towne Team, Rafael Devers has donned his mitt to take the field at first base for the Bay Area ballclub.
Devers was stationed at first base Tuesday evening versus the Atlanta nine. The contest signified the initial occasion in his tenure that Devers manned the position. Furthermore, it marks the initial instance this campaign that he participated in the field at any spot following a heated disagreement with the Red Sox concerning his fielding assignment.
His evening on the diamond was uneventful. He achieved two hits in four at-bats, accompanied by a pair of runs scored and a run batted in during a 9-0 Giants triumph. Post-game, he conveyed to journalists that fielding assists him at the plate.
“It maintains my alertness,” he expressed, via an interpreter. “It prevents my thoughts from solely focusing on the ensuing at-bat. I’m the sort of player who thrives on activity, who prefers to be on the field.”
“I’d favor being on the field over continuous batting practice and merely contemplating the next at-bat.”
A three-time All-Star power hitter, Devers spent upwards of eight seasons with the Red Sox, predominantly as their third baseman. His rapport with the Sox soured this year owing to a disagreement regarding fielding.
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Disagreement concerning position resulted in Devers joining SF
Boston secured the services of two-time Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman during the offseason, a maneuver that ultimately situated the Red Sox in a precarious scenario. Bregman was the obvious selection to occupy third base instead of Devers, who statistically ranks among the poorest third basemen in baseball.
Devers also constituted the most tenured Red Sox figure within Boston’s clubhouse and the sole remaining participant from Boston’s 2018 World Series-winning squad. And he displayed reluctance to relinquish his position.
ATLANTA, GA – JULY 22: Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants is positioned at first base during the third inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 22, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
(Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves via Getty Images)
Devers articulated during spring training that he entertained no inclination to transition to designated hitter to accommodate Bregman on the field. Nevertheless, Bregman commenced the season at third base, and Devers shifted to DH against his preference.
Subsequently, the Red Sox forfeited the services of first baseman Triston Casas due to an injury for the remainder of the season. Devers communicated to reporters at that juncture that the Red Sox requested him to assume duties at first base, which he declined, proffering the subsequent justification:
“They engaged me in conversation regarding it,” Devers informed reporters on May 8 concerning the solicitation to play first. “I acknowledge my role as a ballplayer, yet concurrently, they cannot anticipate me to fulfill duties at every conceivable position.”
“During spring training, they conferred with me and essentially directed me to stow my mitt. I would not be engaging in any position other than DH. Currently, I do not deem it an appropriate determination on their part to solicit me to participate in another position.”
Devers remained at designated hitter and participated in all 73 of his contests for Boston this season as DH. The dispute ultimately impelled the Red Sox to trade him to the Giants in June.
Since integrating with the Giants, Devers has featured at DH. However, San Francisco enacted the maneuver Tuesday to trial him in the field.
Wilmer Flores and Dominic Smith previously allocated time at first base for the Giants this season. On Tuesday, Smith was omitted from the lineup, and Flores was batting sixth, supplanting Devers’ habitual role as San Francisco’s designated hitter.
