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1 hour ago
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Rafael Devers did his job.
The San Francisco Giants began the top of the ninth inning in Miami facing a 2-1 deficit, and Devers was leading off. He got on base with a walk. That's exactly what the Giants needed.
What happened next was a lot less ideal.
The Giants sent Jonah Cox, the rookie outfielder, toward first base to pinch-run for Devers.
Devers wanted nothing to do with it. He gestured to send Cox back. He kept showing that he didn't want the substitution.
When the Giants didn't relent, Devers eventually left and threw a fit in the dugout.
What in the world?
Rafael Devers didn't want to be removed for a pinch runner after a leadoff walk to start the ninth pic.twitter.com/PR3DCOFd3M
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 21, 2026MORE: How Pirates lost on maddening interference call for final out vs. Rockies
Sure, there's a scenario where the game gets back around to Devers and he hits again. But the most important thing in that moment is that the run on first base scores, and Cox is faster than Devers.
Devers has a 22nd-percentile sprint speed at 26.2 feet per second. Cox's sprint speed is in the 89th-percentile at 28.8 feet per second.
There's no question whatsoever that this was the right move by the Giants.
Even if it wasn't, it does no one any good for Devers to argue like this. It's not a pitcher asking to face another batter. It's a slow runner making the case he should stay in to... run?
It's just one of those examples that shows there is legitimate concern about Devers and his long future in the Bay Area. His mindset doesn't appear to be ideal to maximize his time with the Giants.
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