SF Giants finally get key slugger back in the lineup after concerning injury

The SF Giants have been without slugger Rafael Devers the last week and a half or so after he tweaked his hamstring. He will be back in the starting lineup today against the Los Angeles Angels which is obviously a great sign.

Devers will bat leadoff and serve as the team's designated hitter. The Giants seem like they were just playing it safe with Devers, but it is always a bit concerning when one of your star players has a hamstring injury. That sort of injury can linger so the Giants were wise to give him some time to recover.

SF Giants need Rafael Devers to be healthy this season

Acquired in the blockbuster trade with the Boston Red Sox last season, a trade that keeps on looking better for the Giants, Devers played in 163 games total between his time with the two clubs. Even though he is still catching strays from the Red Sox, he is clearly looking to move forward and be the best version of himself in San Francisco.

Devers battled through ailments last season with the Giants. His numbers were not incredible after the trade as he slashed .236/.347/.460 with 20 homers and 51 runs batted in with the Giants, but part of that probably had to do with being less than fully healthy while also adjusting to a new city and new ballpark.

Needless to say, the Giants could really benefit from Devers being the All-Star version of himself this season. The lineup looks pretty good on paper and if Devers can have a solid year that could help the Giants as they try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

It will be interesting to see if the Giants give him any more reps at first base this spring. One imagines they will probably ease him back into the swing of things with a few games as the DH and then maybe next week they will have him back in the field.

It's possible that his injury could open the door for top prospect Bryce Eldridge to make the team. If Devers is not fully healthy then maybe he could start the season as the team's DH and Eldridge can handle first base duties.

No matter what, it is just nice that he will be out there again. Let's hope the hamstring injury does not linger because the Giants are going to need Devers at his best in 2026.