Rafael Devers is kicking off the 2026 season in a way that's become quite familiar to Boston Red Sox fans-starting as a designated hitter. Now with the San Francisco Giants, Devers is set to bat third against the New York Yankees on Friday, marking his second consecutive game in this role.
Giants manager Tony Vitello shared that Devers is dealing with a minor hamstring issue, which is why he's not taking the field just yet. While Devers could step in at first base if needed, the Giants are playing it safe, wanting to ensure he's fully ready before returning to the infield.
Devers' position on the field has been a hot topic since last year. Despite his preference for third base, he transitioned to DH after the Red Sox brought in Alex Bregman for the position.
Last season saw another potential shift when Triston Casas went down with a knee injury, but Devers was resistant. This led to a major mid-season trade, sending him to the Giants in exchange for a package including Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks.
Of those players, only Jose Bello remains with the Red Sox.
The move was initially met with mixed feelings in Boston, but the emergence of Roman Anthony and a playoff run helped ease the sting. Devers, meanwhile, put up a .236/.347/.460 slash line in 90 games post-trade.
Back in Boston, the DH spot is now open, allowing the Red Sox to utilize their outfield depth with Anthony, Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, and Ceddanne Rafaela. They've also acquired Willson Contreras for first base, and traded Harrison for third baseman Caleb Durbin.
As the Giants face the Yankees, Red Sox fans might find themselves rooting for Devers, who has a history of success against New York. The 29-year-old will be up against Massachusetts native Cam Schlittler, aiming to build on his 1-for-4 performance from Wednesday night's season opener.