SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — First baseman Rafael Devers was scratched from Friday’s lineup against the reigning back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers due to a tight left hamstring.
Devers, who is hitless in eight at-bats this spring, was originally slated to hit second and play first base but felt discomfort while fielding grounders before the game. Top prospect Bryce Eldridge took Devers’ spot in the lineup against World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Devers, 29, dealt with back and groin ailments last season but still managed to play 163 games, a neat byproduct of the midseason trade that sent him from the Boston Red Sox to San Francisco.Along with Devers, center fielder Harrison Bader left Friday’s game after one at-bat due to a right thumb contusion. Manager Tony Vitello said Bader had been dealing with the injury for a couple of days and that the Giants don’t believe the injuries to Bader or Devers appear to be significant.
“(Bader) wants to play. He wants to be involved in the game, wants to be in the dugout,” Vitello said after the Giants’ 12-2 win over the Dodgers.
Vitello said that Bader and Devers were already scheduled to be off for Saturday’s road game against the Athletics in Mesa, adding that the team will see how they’re feeling for Sunday’s home game against the San Diego Padres. Vitello does not believe Bader’s ailment will prevent him from playing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Outfielder Grant McCray entered for Bader in the top of the second inning after Bader grounded out to end the bottom of the first inning. McCray drew two walks and scored two runs.
Bader played a career-high 146 games last season with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies but dealt with assorted injuries during his career. From 2021-23, Bader averaged about 96 games per season.
Devers’ absence from the lineup allowed Casey Schmitt, who projects to be San Francisco’s primary backup infielder, to play first base for the first time this spring.
“First of all, he’s versatile. That’s step one for a player to be a commodity,” Vitello said. “Then, he’s eager to be versatile. Some guys will fight you on that a little bit. … He’s capable of playing short, too, but we’ve given him second, third. (Devers’ injury) gave us an excuse to put him at first because there was a little bit of discomfort there during ground balls.”
On a more encouraging note, right-handed reliever Joel Peguero (tight left hamstring) threw a live bullpen before Friday’s game. Vitello said Peguero was all smiles after facing five hitters.
“He’s maybe got the most explosive body on the team,” Vitello said. “He’s very quick twitch, however you would rank everybody on our roster. It’s impressive to watch. It’s kind of fun to watch him, but then it’s also up to him to manage that explosive stuff he’s got.”
