SAN FRANCISCO — A few days ago, Giants manager Tony Vitello compared himself to Bill Belichick when giving an update on Rafael Devers. Vitello has been vague about Devers’ health all season, and it turns out the Giants were hiding a pretty significant injury. Devers’ season ended Sunday when he was put on the 60-day IL with a core muscle injury. He will see a specialist on Monday in Philadelphia and it seems likely he will have surgery on Tuesday. The Giants took a similar approach with Matt Chapman earlier this summer, and Chapman even saw the same doctor, William Meyers.
The move’s main impact is on Devers’ overall numbers, which are about as good from a power perspective as anyone in the Oracle Park era aside from Barry Bonds. Devers hit 11 homers in his final 18 games and finished with 37 homers and 98 RBI. He currently leads the majors with 36 doubles.
Devers played in all but one game for the Giants before Sunday. He rested on Wednesday, and Vitello said he was long overdue for a day off. Throughout the summer, though, Devers got extra days at DH, with Bryce Eldridge playing first.
To fill the roster spot,...