In Miami, Rafael Devers once again found himself at the center of controversy.
This episode involved the Giants’ first baseman, who had previously declined to play a different position with the Red Sox, again challenging his manager’s strategic decision.
Giants manager Tony Vitello characterized the incident as merely an expression of Devers’ competitive drive.
“I have no issue with Rafi,” Vitello remarked, noting that he did not feel compelled to discuss the matter with Devers since they communicate regularly.
“He undoubtedly shares the same desire to win as his teammates. He wishes to remain in the game, and throughout this road trip we have discussed his physical condition, which remains fully healthy for sprinting,” Vitello added.
Even at top speed, Devers would not have improved the Giants’ odds of tying the game compared to the quicker Jonah Cox, who led off the ninth inning of the 2-1 loss that completed a sweep by the Marlins. As the potential tying run, it was logical to substitute Cox for a runner with superior sprint speed (26.2 feet per second), the slowest on the roster.
But Devers wasn’t having it.
Devers stood on first base and gestured dismissively, attempting — unsuccessfully — to dissuade Cox from entering the game.
Following the protest, Devers returned to the dugout, deftly avoiding a congratulatory pat from bench coach Jayce Tingler before storming back to the clubhouse, where he refused an interview request through the team’s public relations office.
“Once the decision was announced, it was executed,” Vitello said. “Our objective was to maximize our chances of winning. While we would have preferred Jonah to advance, Miami’s closer Lake Bachar is quick to the plate, and on a double we pursued the strategy that gave us the best opportunity to score.”
Third baseman Matt Chapman concurred that the decision was appropriate.
“There’s a clear rationale behind Tony’s decision,” Chapman explained. “It was a spontaneous reaction on Devers’ part; Rafi is eager to stay in the game and to win.”
The Giants have struggled to win this season, enduring a third consecutive defeat after Jung Hoo Lee flied out and Willy Adames grounded into a game‑ending double play.
This skid follows San Francisco’s fifth three‑game winning streak of the season, yet the team has not achieved a fourth consecutive victory, slipping 15 games below .500 and tying their season low.
“It’s frustrating,” Chapman said, “because momentum often appears to move two steps forward only to retreat a couple of steps.”
Regardless of perspective on Devers and his $313.5 million contract, he prefers not to rest and, it seems, is reluctant to exit games. He appeared in 163 games last season—a rarity facilitated by a midseason trade from the Red Sox.
Vitello likened Devers to Logan Webb, the Giants’ workhorse ace, in that respect.
“I would rather have players like Webby whom you must pull off the field,” Vitello said, “rather than the opposite.”