Why Rafael Devers is DH for Giants, not playing first base originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The San Francisco Giants are sticking with Rafael Devers in the DH spot in the early going of the season.
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Obviously after his controversy last season on the Boston Red Sox about that spot, it’s a surprise to some that Devers isn’t playing first base right now. For each of the Giants’ first two games, Casey Schmitt has started at that spot.
It’s not as big a deal as some are making it out to be, though.
There’s actually a simple explanation.
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Why is Rafael Devers playing DH, not first base?
Devers isn’t in the field right now because he picked up an injury late in Spring Training.
Manager Tony Vitello told reporters that Devers is feeling his hamstring still “a little bit.”
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The Giants simply don’t see a need to rush Devers back into the field.
That’s why Schmitt is at first base, with Jerar Encarnacion another option.
Fans have also wondered why Luis Arraez wouldn’t slide from second base to first base. That’s simply because the Giants want him to get the most time he can at a spot they’re counting on him to be competent at this season. It doesn’t help them enough to take away his reps there for a temporary solution to the Devers injury problem.
Soon enough, Raffy should be back in the field.
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