ATLANTA — Rafael Devers will make his professional debut at first base on Tuesday evening at Truist Park against the Atlanta Braves, the first time he has played the position in either the majors or minors.
Devers expressed a willingness to play first base for the Giants upon being traded from the Boston Red Sox last month in exchange for pitchers Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, as well as two prospects. In Boston, by contrast, Devers publicly declined to play the position after first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury in May. A month later, Devers was traded to the Giants.
The 28-year-old has taken grounders at first base prior to games over the last month, but he had been held back from playing the position due to nagging back and groin injuries.
The issue in Boston began in February when the Red Sox signed third baseman Alex Bregman, pushing Devers to a designated hitter-only role. Devers publicly rebuked the organization for taking him away from third base, where he has struggled defensively throughout his career even as his bat has earned him three All-Star appearances.
Devers eventually relented and played only as designated hitter to begin the season before Casas tore his patellar tendon in early May. The Red Sox asked Devers to play first, where he had never played before, and he declined. He continued to DH for Boston until the time of the trade and has only played that role for San Francisco.
With the Giants, Devers has struggled at the plate, slashing .219/.333/.333 over 29 games since the trade.
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The Giants have played Dominic Smith, Wilmer Flores and Casey Schmitt at first during Devers’ time with the team. Flores will be the team’s designated hitter Tuesday, while Schmitt plays second as the Giants and Landen Roupp (6-6, 3.27 ERA) face Davis Daniel (0-0, 1.80 ERA). The Giants are seeking to end a six-game losing streak.
Here is the team’s full lineup:
1. Jung Hoo Lee (L) CF
2. Heliot Ramos – LF
3. Rafael Devers (L) – 1B
4. Willy Adames – SS
5. Matt Chapman – 3B
6. Wilmer Flores – DH
7. Casey Schmitt – 2B
8. Patrick Bailey (S) – C
9. Luis Matos – RF
Check back for additional updates.