Is Injury To Blame For Rafael Devers’ Slump Since Red Sox Trade?

Rafael Devers has yet to make the Boston Red Sox pay for a stunning midseason trade.

The star slugger hasn’t looked like himself since getting shipped to the San Francisco Giants last month. Devers is batting .220/.350/.354 in 23 games with the Giants and hasn’t hit a home run since June 26.

An injury could explain the three-time All-Star’s funk. Giants manager Bob Melvin said Friday, per the Associated Press’ Janie McCauley, that Devers is dealing with a disk injury in his lower back.

Devers underwent an MRI on Thursday, and Melvin doesn’t expect the newly acquired designated hitter to miss time.

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

Devers also wasn’t 100 percent for the Red Sox earlier this season. The 28-year-old played through a groin issue that appeared to affect him on the basepaths shortly before the trade.

Yet that issue didn’t hurt Devers’ offensive production. He left Boston with 15 home runs and a .905 OPS in 73 games.

Devers likely would have been voted an All-Star Game starter for the American League, but Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber blocked his path to a National League roster spot. He’ll instead use the break to rest in hopes of avoiding a trip to the injured list.

While Devers continues to perform defensive drills, the back issue has delayed his potential move to first base.

“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.”

Devers has gone three games without a hit and five without an extra-base knock. It doesn’t appear that he’ll sit out San Francisco’s next two pivotal division games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.