Rafael Devers’ season is over, but the Giants at least have a clearer picture of what comes next.
After being placed on the 60-day injured list because of a core muscle injury, Devers underwent successful surgery Tuesday in Philadelphia. The procedure was performed by Dr. William Meyer, and the recovery window now points toward a three-month timeline.
According to Justice delos Santos of Mercury News on X (formerly Twitter), Devers is expected to be back on the road to baseball activities in three months, which lines him up for spring training and the start of the 2027 regular season.
That’s a welcome update for San Francisco, which had to shut down one of its biggest bats despite Devers putting together another huge year at the plate. In 148 games, he hit 37 home runs and drove in 97 runs.
He also added 36 doubles, a total that had him tied for first in Major League Baseball going into Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals, a 10-3 Giants win.
Giants manager Tony Vitello sounded encouraged by how the surgery went and by the way Devers is handling the recovery process. Vitello told Zach Sweet of MLB.com that Devers “Got done what they needed to do. They felt like he’ll do well afterwards, do well with the recovery.”
Vitello added that Devers is already thinking ahead to next year: “He’s pretty geeked up about next year. His confidence in next year’s success gives me confidence.”
Devers is not the only Giants player working back from core surgery. Matt Chapman also had successful core surgery this season and should be ready to return for the start of 2027 as well.
Before the injury shut him down, Devers and rookie Bryce Eldridge had started giving Giants fans a look at what could be coming next. The two flashed enough talent to offer some bright moments, even if the results on the scoreboard didn’t always follow.
If Devers comes back on schedule and avoids setbacks, the Giants could be getting a familiar group back together for spring training 2027, with Devers, Chapman and Willy Adames all in the mix.
In Other News...
Giants May Have Quietly Solved A Daniel Susac Roster Problem
Daniel Susacs lost 2023 season still carried an important roster consequence for the Giants, even after the left knee patella fracture ended his year. Because he spent enough time on the active roster as a Rule 5 draft pick, San Francisco cleared the service-time hurdle needed to ease the usual Rule 5 restrictions, a small bookkeeping detail with a long shelf life.
Starting in 2027, the Giants can treat Susac like any other 40-man player instead of worrying about the special Rule 5 clock attached to him. In practical terms, that gives the club far more flexibility and control over his future, with team control stretching through at least 2031, which is exactly the kind of quiet roster win front offices value even when it barely registers at the time. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Prospect Jonah Cox Is Forcing A Real Roster Debate
Jonah Cox has spent this season turning raw athleticism into a real argument for the Giants future. The rookie outfielder has already led the club in stolen bases despite limited games played, and his speed has not been the only thing catching attention. His defensive range and ability to move around the outfield have given San Francisco another layer of flexibility, while his aggressive baserunning has stood out enough that coaches have taken notice.
For a Giants roster still sorting out how best to build for next spring, Cox is no longer just a promising name in the system. He is making a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster, and it is a case built on more than one tool. Speed can be fleeting in prospect talk, but when it comes with real impact on the bases and in the field, it starts to create a tougher decision than the club probably expected. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Still Have One Outfield Problem To Solve This Winter
The Giants outfield remains one of the more unsettled parts of the roster heading into the winter, even after a season that showed some signs of improvement. San Francisco was still near the bottom of several defensive metrics in 2025, a reminder that the group has not fully recovered from last years issues, and the clubs decision to bring in Harrison Bader last offseason did not deliver the kind of stabilizing presence it was hoping for. He appeared in only 30 games, leaving the Giants with less certainty than they expected in a spot that was supposed to be strengthened.
There is at least a brighter note in center field, where contributions from Drew Gilbert and Jonah Cox helped the team move in a better direction. The problem is that the corners remain a different story, and that is where the Giants still have work to do. With possible positional shifts on the table and more attempts to upgrade likely ahead, the front office is still staring at one outfield issue that has not gone away. [Read more 🡒]