Rafael Devers, the San Francisco Giants’ key acquisition for the 2025 season, is currently sidelined due to a left hamstring tightness that appeared during spring training. The injury emerged just before the Giants’ Friday Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, prompting the team to halt Devers’ activities for two to four days as a precaution, according to the Giants’ announcement on Saturday. Manager Tony Vitello noted that Devers started to feel discomfort during pregame defensive drills, leading the club to take an extremely cautious approach to his condition, as reported by Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News.
Devers’ Spring Prep Hampered After Promising Start with Giants
San Francisco expected this spring camp to be a fresh start for Devers after he battled back issues last season that limited his defensive contributions. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger had already played in three Cactus League games at first base before the hamstring concern surfaced, with his most recent appearance against Colorado on Thursday. A fully fit Devers would greatly strengthen the Giants’ lineup, considering his solid production after joining the team mid-2025, where he posted 20 home runs and 51 RBIs over 90 games with a .236 batting average and .347 on-base percentage.
The Giants took on the remainder of Devers’ 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension, fully committing to the slugger whose career slash line sits at .276/.349/.506 with 235 home runs. Devers now anchors the Giants at first base, a move that was controversial during his time with Boston but positions him as a crucial presence for San Francisco heading into the new season.
“Re: Rafael Devers, he had some slight discomfort while doing infield work. Neither Bader or Devers were slated to play tomorrow anyway. Vitello said the team will see how they’re doing for Sunday’s home game against the Padres.” ?Justice delos Santos, Sports Journalist
Impact of the Hamstring Setback on Giants’ 2026 Spring and Season Outlook
Although a two-to-four-day hiatus may seem minor within a full 162-game schedule, this interruption comes at a sensitive moment for the Giants, who are eager to build cohesion under their new coaching staff led by Vitello. Every spring training rep is vital, especially for Devers, who needs infield practice, live pitching at-bats, and the chance to develop timing with teammates such as Luis Arraez. The injury reduces his ability to fine-tune these elements early in camp, adding pressure on San Francisco’s efforts to prepare for the season.
The Giants’ regular season opener is scheduled for March 25 against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park. While there is still time before official games begin, the timetable for Devers’ return to Cactus League play will clarify once he resumes activity. This early setback underscores the delicate balance teams must maintain in spring training, as even short absences can disrupt a player’s rhythm and the overall roster synergy.
For the Giants, preserving the health and readiness of their most vital hitter is paramount as they aim to rebound from a postseason miss last year. The pressure mounts for Devers to regain full strength quickly, ensuring he can deliver the powerful offensive presence that San Francisco has invested heavily to secure for this season.
Re: Rafael Devers, he had some slight discomfort while doing infield work.
Neither Bader or Devers were slated to play tomorrow anyway. Vitello said the team will see how they're doing for Sunday's home game against the Padres. https://t.co/KXPEIz0MWw
— Justice delos Santos (@justdelossantos) February 27, 2026
