The San Francisco Giants may have already pulled off the biggest move of the MLB season well ahead of the trade deadline, swinging a stunning deal to acquire star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. The left-handed power bat immediately addresses a key need in the Giants’ lineup. However, to fully maximize Devers’ impact, the team hopes to transition him to first base — a position he previously resisted playing in Boston but now appears more open to in San Francisco.
The shift would allow Wilmer Flores to slot in as the designated hitter and push Dominic Smith into a bench role, optimizing the lineup both offensively and defensively. Devers had begun taking reps at first in preparation for the move, but that plan has hit a temporary roadblock. According to manager Bob Melvin, Devers recently tweaked his groin while running the bases, which could delay his debut at the position.
“It’s a minor issue, but it does affect the defensive side a bit, especially at first where you’re stretching and moving differently than at third,” Melvin said in an interview with MLB Network Radio. “So that’s probably set the timeline back slightly.”
Though there’s no firm date for when Devers will make his first appearance at first base, Melvin is optimistic that he’ll be back to taking reps soon. For now, the injury hasn’t kept Devers out of the lineup — he’s continued to serve as the team’s designated hitter since joining the Giants.
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