SF Giants would be wise to put Rafael Devers on IL for mental and physical reset

Since the SF Giants traded for slugger Rafael Devers, he has struggled to get going at the plate. Part of that may be due to the pressure of being on a new team, but it may also have to do with some nagging injuries he is dealing with.

Devers has been dealing with a groin injury, but it was recently revealed that he is also dealing with a disk injury in his lower back. Both of these things have to be affecting his performance at the plate and they have certainly prevented him from playing in the field at first base which was the plan initially.

Rafael Devers could benefit from IL stint after early struggles with SF Giants

Devers has brushed off the effects of the injuries and Giants manager Bob Melvin has said the hope is that, given the All-Star break begins tomorrow and he will get four days off, Devers will not need any time on the IL.

Yet, Devers could benefit from a stint on the 10-day IL to begin the second half. Even if he says he feels fine, the stint on the IL could serve as both a physical and mental reset for the slugger as it seems he is sorely in need of both.

Since joining the Giants, Devers is slashing .214/.346/.345 with two home runs and ten runs batted in across 24 games. He has also struck out 32 times in 84 at-bats and it seems like he just has not been able to find any sort of rhythm at the plate.

It is clear that he is pressing a bit as he tries to prove he was worth everything the Giants gave up to acquire him. Plus, he is still having to adjust to a new city, new ballpark, and new teammates all on the fly which is not easy for anyone to do, let alone a player who was expected to single-handedly save the team's offense.

He has also had to deal with unnecessary drama involving Will Clark and the Boston media which has to be weighing on him as well given his exit from Boston was messy and somewhat contentious.

Devers just needs a break to let his body and mind recover. If the Giants place him on the IL to begin the second half, that gives him two full weeks to rest and recover and come back fresh because the Giants are going to need him down the stretch.

Wilmer Flores can serve as the team's designated hitter while Devers is recovering which is a role that Flores thrived in prior to the Giants landing Devers.

The move would be akin to the one earlier this season with Willy Adames where the Giants gave him a day off and literally forbid him from touching a bat as he was trying to work through his struggles. Now, he is red-hot and one of the most dangerous hitters on the team so this strategy can pay off.

It may seem counterintuitive to place one of your best players on the IL if they can technically play through their ailments, but Devers needs this reset in more ways than one and it could go a long way towards keeping him fresh later in the season.