The San Francisco Giants may have already made the biggest splash of the MLB season, weeks ahead of the trade deadline.
In a stunning move, they acquired star slugger Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox, immediately addressing their need for a powerful left-handed bat in the lineup.
Although Devers is expected to hit in the No. 2 or No. 3 spot, the Giants are hoping he can bring even more value by playing first base—a position he previously resisted with the Red Sox, but now appears open to trying in San Francisco.
This shift would allow the Giants to move Wilmer Flores into the designated hitter role and relegate journeyman Dominic Smith to the bench. Devers had been taking reps at first in preparation for the change, but those plans hit a snag when he tweaked his groin while running the bases in a recent game.
“It’s a minor issue, but at first base, you’re stretching and moving differently than at third,” manager Bob Melvin told MLB Network Radio. “So it’s probably set the timeline back a bit in terms of getting him ready for the position.”
Melvin didn’t give a firm date for when Devers might debut at first base but said he should resume workouts soon. He added that the injury is not expected to be a long-term concern and that Devers has remained in the lineup as the designated hitter since joining the team.
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