The San Francisco Giants entered the 2026 season with renewed hope.
A new manager. A reshaped roster. And most importantly, a superstar bat ready to anchor the lineup: Rafael Devers.
But when the All-Star slugger suddenly disappeared from the lineup for five straight games during spring training, concern quickly spread among fans.
Was another injury about to derail San Francisco’s biggest offseason gamble?
Now, the Giants finally have an answer—and it’s good news.
Injury Scare in Spring Training
Devers, who joined the Giants in a blockbuster trade deadline deal last season, had hoped to use spring training to prepare for a new role in San Francisco.
For the first time in his career, the former Boston Red Sox star has been working to transition to first base, giving the Giants more defensive flexibility heading into the season.
But those plans were suddenly interrupted in late February.
The Giants removed Devers from the lineup after he experienced hamstring tightness, immediately raising alarm bells inside the organization.
Given Devers’ injury history last season—which included groin and back issues—the timing of the setback couldn’t have been worse.
Encouraging Update Arrives
Fortunately for San Francisco, the latest update is much more optimistic.
According to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports, Devers is progressing well and could return to the lineup as early as next week.
Even more importantly, the injury is not expected to affect his availability for Opening Day.
For a Giants team hoping to compete in one of baseball’s toughest divisions, that update is a massive relief.
A Franchise Cornerstone
When San Francisco acquired Devers from the Boston Red Sox, it wasn’t just a short-term move.
The Giants took on the entirety of his 10-year, $313.5 million contract, signaling that Devers would become a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.
And his résumé explains why.
During his nine seasons in Boston, Devers built an impressive legacy that includes:
- Three All-Star selections
- Two Silver Slugger Awards
- A World Series championship
His ability to deliver power and run production makes him one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.
Adjusting to Life in San Francisco
Last season, however, Devers had to navigate a whirlwind of changes.
After spending his entire career with the Red Sox, the midseason trade to San Francisco meant adjusting to:
- A new clubhouse
- A new coaching staff
- A new city
- A playoff race in the highly competitive NL West
Despite the transition, Devers still managed to produce solid numbers in his first stretch with the Giants.
In 90 games, he posted:
- .236 batting average
- .347 on-base percentage
- .807 OPS
- 20 home runs
- 51 RBIs
While those numbers were slightly below his typical Boston production, they still showed flashes of the offensive firepower that made him a star.
A Fresh Start for 2026
Now, for the first time since the trade, Devers has something he didn’t have last year: a full offseason with the Giants.
That extra time has allowed him to settle into the clubhouse, develop chemistry with teammates, and work with the coaching staff—including new manager Tony Vitello.
And if Devers can stay healthy, the Giants believe he could return to his All-Star level form.
That would give San Francisco exactly what it needs: a middle-of-the-order powerhouse capable of carrying the offense.
A Crucial Season Ahead
The timing couldn’t be more important.
The NL West remains one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, featuring powerhouse teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
If the Giants want to break through and return to the postseason, they’ll need their biggest star performing at his best.
For now, the latest update suggests Devers will be ready.
And for Giants fans, that’s the best news they could have hoped for.