SF Giants pregame: Willy Adames gets the day off, but Rafael Devers does not
SAN FRANCISCO — With the Giants headed out of town for a six-day road trip and an off-day on Monday, manager Tony Vitello gave shortstop Willy Adames Sunday off as he struggled through a 1-for-22 homestand.
Yet when the lineup came out Sunday in the rubber match of a three-game series with the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park, Rafael Devers was in the lineup, playing first base and batting fifth.
Devers is the owner of the slump heard round the bay, essentially a season-long slumber that includes a .213 batting average, two home runs, nine RBIs and strikeouts by the bushel.
Both players pride themselves on being available every day, and both have played in all 27 games as the Giants enter play Sunday with a 12-15 record.
Adames surrendered the leadoff spot for a day at last to resurgent right fielder Jung Hoo Lee, with Christian Koss starting at shortstop.
“Willy’s held down that spot for a little bit and it’s a good day for him to sit because he’s battled some sorenss and things like that,” Vitello said. “Obviously he’s been out there every day for us. There’s a bonus off day tomorrow and it’s the best way to get the true version of him.”
Adames, who started his first season with the Giants in a prolonged slump, is hitting .207 with three home runs and six RBIs. He’s been an easy out at Oracle Park, hitting .153 and .461 OPS in 15 games while hitting .269 with an .816 OPS on the road.
Devers, meanwhile, will be trusted to find the back of his baseball card at some point, although he hasn’t really stepped up to become the force the Giants expected when he was acquired via blockbuster trade last June 15.
He has a 31.9 percent strikeout rate which would be the highest of his career, is 0-for-8 in the Miami series and 3-for-19 on the homestand and hasn’t hit a home run since April 8.
“The success hasn’t been there at the rate that he’s used to, I think it’s more frustration, and that usually means there needs to be some kind of adjustment, either mental or physical,” Vitello said. “I don’t think anyone can point at one drastic thing that would need to change. I don’t think there’s a lack of confidence. Sometimes you just need time, it takes just one thing to click and you’re on a different avenue.”
Will a day off be in Devers’ future?
“The time will come where it just makes sense mathematically, regardless of whether it’s home or on the road, where there’s a good time to do it,” Vitello said. “But I know he feels good right now, physically, and to me, the more at-bats he can get, he can get to maybe not his best, but the status quo version of what he’s capable of doing.”
NOTABLE
— The Giants are walking at the lowest rate in the majors, but had five Saturday in a 6-2 win over Miami. Vitello took that as a good sign.
“Personally I’ve focused more on on-base percentage (than batting average), Vitello said. “The most important spot on the field is home plate, and in order to touch home plate, other than a home run, is to get on base.
Relying too much on home runs, Vitello said, “is a little bit like chasing a ghost” as opposed to putting traffic on the bases and coming through with hits.
— The Giants will head to Philadelphia following Sunday’s game for a three-game series that begins Tuesday and then they play at Tampa Bay three times before coming back home to host San Diego and Pittsburgh May 4-10.
— Pitcher Logan Webb and catcher Patrick Bailey received their Gold Gloves for fielding prowess at their positions in a pregame ceremony.
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This story was originally published April 26, 2026 at 12:05 PM.