Two days after a tense on-field confrontation, San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers stepped forward Tuesday to address the moment when he tried to refuse being replaced by a pinch runner — calling the whole episode a simple mix-up.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Giants’ home game against the Athletics, Devers explained what was going through his mind during Sunday’s game against the host Miami Marlins.
“Two days before that, I had told (Vitello) that I had a hamstring issue,” Devers said. “I thought that was why he was taking me out of the game. That’s why I was trying to signal to him that I was fine. I think it was a misunderstanding.”
“I apologized, which was the right thing for me to do,” he added.
The incident unfolded in the ninth inning on Sunday, with Miami holding a 2-1 lead and Devers drawing a leadoff walk. When teammate Jonah Cox came in to run for him, Devers attempted to wave Cox off. Umpires ultimately stepped in and placed Cox on base, while Devers stormed off the field visibly upset.
The contrast between the two players was notable — Cox, 24, is considered one of the faster rookies in the game, while Devers, 29, ranks among the slowest baserunners in the majors. Despite the substitution, Cox never attempted to steal, and the inning ended on a flyout followed by a ground-ball double play.
Manager Tony Vitello downplayed the situation, calling it a “non-issue” and describing a productive conversation he had with Devers during the flight from Miami back to San Francisco.
“He came to me,” Vitello said. “We sat next to each other on the plane, had a good conversation. … It was a good chat we had. I went through all the stuff postgame, the baserunning stuff, the hamstring, how well he’s done for us.”
Vitello made clear he has no reservations about Devers going forward. “As a player or the type of teammate he is and the type of competitor, how bad he wants to win, I’m good to go into battle with him anytime,” he said.
