Giants DH Rafael Devers has MRI, to play through back issue

San Francisco Giants star Rafael Devers is being treated for inflammation due to a disk injury in his lower back following an MRI exam.

Manager Bob Melvin is optimistic that the slugger can avoid a trip to the injured list and can recover during the upcoming All-Star break.

"He went on some medication, feels a little bit better today. We'll see how he responds to that," Melvin told reporters on Friday. "I'm glad we got the MRI done so we know what's going on."

Devers, 28, has been limited to designated hitter duties in 23 games with San Francisco since arriving in a June 15 trade with the Boston Red Sox.

"He feels it mostly running, probably a little bit at the plate, but not as much as when he's running bases," Melvin said. "I think with the break hopefully (he'll be OK). I think he's been playing through it for a little bit, basically since he's been here. It's the reason he's not out in the field right now."

Entering Saturday, the three-time All-Star third baseman is batting .220 for the Giants with two home runs and nine RBIs. He batted .272 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs in 73 games for Boston before the trade.

Devers is a career .278 hitter with 217 home runs and 705 RBIs in 1,076 games since making his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2017. He signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract in 2023.

--Field Level Media