Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images

Giants Facing Decision After Rafael Devers Injury News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 5:23 PM ET

The San Francisco Giants are currently 43-34 and sit in second place in the NL West, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by 3.5 games. Despite posting a winning record, the offense has struggled mightily this year—ranking 24th in MLB with an OPS of .683 and tied for 24th in home runs with just 73.

To address these offensive shortcomings, the Giants made a blockbuster move by trading for former Boston Red Sox designated hitter, Rafael Devers in exchange for Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, and prospects James Tibbs III and Jose Bello.

Devers has been slotted into the middle of San Francisco's order since his arrival.

The Giants took on the entirety of Devers' contract, whose resume includes multiple All-Star selections and a World Series championship in 2018.

Part of the controversy around Devers prior to his exit from Boston was the longtime third baseman's unwillingness to play first after Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury. Devers has reversed that stance in San Francisco, communicating a willingness to learn the new position, but that has since been put on pause.

Ahead of Sunday’s game against the Red Sox, manager Bob Melvin noted that Devers is nursing a groin injury that isn’t affecting his approach at the plate, though it is complicating his transition to first base.

Rafael Devers is nursing a little bit of a groin injury. It’s not affecting his hitting, but Melvin said they’re trying to be cognizant of him working at first base.

Still no timetable as to when he would play first in a game.
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) June 22, 2025

In the meantime, San Francisco has a decision to make at that position. Dominic Smith and Wilmer Flores are options to cover the first base gap while Devers takes the time needed to recover from his groin injury.

In the 2025 season, Smith has been solid at the plate, hitting .298 with one home run and eight RBIs in 16 games. Wilmer Flores has posted a .255 average with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs in 75 appearances this year.

Devers has been productive even amidst the team and positional transitions, posting an average of .267 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs, maintaining an OPS of .890.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: