Giants DH Rafael Devers dealing with disk injury in back

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers is dealing with a disk injury in his lower back that has limited his production since joining his new club.

Manager Bob Melvin is hopeful Devers won’t require a stint on the injured list given the upcoming time off for the All-Star break.

Devers has begun anti-inflammatory medication for the irritation symptoms he is experiencing and is playing through the issue. He underwent an MRI exam Thursday.

“He went on some medication, feels a little bit better today. We’ll see how he responds to that,” Melvin said. “I’m glad we got the MRI done so we know what’s going on.”

Acquired last month from the Red Sox, Devers entered the series opener Friday against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers batting .245 with 23 strikeouts, four doubles, a home run and six RBIs over his past 14 games dating to June 26. He was hitting .261 with 17 homers and 67 RBIs overall.

The Giants took on Devers’ mega contract when they traded for him June 15 to boost their offense after the slugger made it known he didn’t want to play first base for Boston. But he arrived in the Bay Area insisting he would do anything asked of him to help San Francisco win.

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers starts to run after hitting a two-run single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers starts to run after hitting a two-run single against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

A three-time All-Star, Devers signed $313.5 million, 10-year contract with the Red Sox in 2023.

On Friday, he was in the lineup as DH batting third but isn’t yet ready to play the field, including first base where he has been doing regular fielding work.

“He feels it mostly running, probably a little bit at the plate, but not as much as when he’s running bases,” Melvin said. “I think with the break hopefully (he’ll be OK). I think he’s been playing through it for a little bit, basically since he’s been here. It’s the reason he’s not out in the field right now.”

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers reacts to striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Sunday, July 6, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers reacts to striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Sunday, July 6, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers reacts after hitting a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers reacts after hitting a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Related Posts

Triston Casas is at a crossroads in his career with the Boston Red Sox and sends a cryptic message amid Red Sox turmoil

Triston Casas is at a crossroads in his career with the Boston Red Sox and sends a cryptic message amid Red Sox turmoil BOSTON – As the…

🔥 CONTRACT SHOCKWAVE: Alex Bregmаn’ѕ $120 Mіllіon Deаl Now Rаіѕіng Alаrmѕ іn Boѕton — Red Sox Wаtch аѕ Hіѕ Lаteѕt Commentѕ on “Not Chаѕіng the Bаll Quіckly” Fuel Fruѕtrаtіon Among Mаnаgement аnd Fаnѕ!

BOѕTON – The Boѕton Red ѕox’ѕ whіrlwіnd romаnce wіth аlex Bregmаn, forged іn the deѕрerаte fіreѕ of lаѕt wіnter’ѕ free аgency, аррeаrѕ to be heаdіng towаrd аn…

🔥 THIS IS NOT A DRILL: Red Sox poised for MONSTER SWING at two-time MVP in an “all-in” blockbuster move!

The Boston Red Sox stormed into the postseason last year, but they’re not resting on their laurels—they’re eyeing a seismic upgrade to catapult them deeper

⚾ OFFSEASON SHAKE-UP IN ATLANTA: The Braves have officially declined club options on relievers Tyler Kinley and Pierce Johnson, marking the start of what could be a major bullpen overhaul this winter. The moves free up nearly $12 million in payroll space, giving Atlanta flexibility to chase new arms or reallocate funds toward rotation depth. For fans, it’s a bittersweet decision — two veterans who helped steady the pen at times now hit free agency, as the Braves look to reshape their pitching identity for 2026.

The Atlanta Braves on Thursday declined club options on two right-handed relivers, according to reports.

BREAKING ANALYSIS: New numbers circulating around Green Bay paint a dramatic picture of just how hard losing Tucker Kraft could hit the Packers offense

Oct 26, 2025; ріttѕburgh, рennѕylvаnіа, Uѕа; Green Bаy раckerѕ tіght end Tucker Krаft (85) runѕ the bаll аgаіnѕt the ріttѕburgh ѕteelerѕ durіng the thіrd quаrter аt аcrіѕure…

REPORT: Brаveѕ mаke unѕurрrіѕіng $18 mіllіon Chrіѕ Sаle contrаct decіѕіon

Chrіѕ ѕаle, the 2024 Nаtіonаl Leаgue Cy Young аwаrd wіnner, hаd hіѕ $18 mіllіon club oрtіon ріcked uр by the Brаveѕ. The аtlаntа Brаveѕ аre аlreаdy mаkіng moveѕ to…