Giants' Devers apologizes to Vitello after storming into dugout, in lineup vs. A's

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Giants' Devers apologizes to Vitello after storming into dugout, in lineup vs. A's

2026-06-24 09:00 Last Updated At：09:10

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rafael Devers was back in the San Francisco Giants' starting lineup Tuesday night after apologizing to manager Tony Vitello for a “misunderstanding” that had the first baseman storming into the dugout on Sunday.

After Devers drew a leadoff walk in the ninth inning of the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the Marlins, Vitello sent Jonah Cox on the field to pinch-run. Devers demonstrably waved off Cox, then angrily headed into the dugout.

“It was a misunderstanding,” Devers said Tuesday through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Two days prior to that, I had told the manager that I had a problem with my hamstring and I thought that was the reason that he was taking me out of the game.

“That’s why I didn’t want to come out. It just got a little bit blown out of proportion. ... I apologized, which is the right thing to do.”

Devers, who was batting cleanup for the Giants in their game against the visiting Athletics on Tuesday night, said he and Vitello spoke about the situation on the team's flight from Miami to San Francisco on Sunday night.

Vitello, the first manager to go directly from being a college head coach to leading a major league team, appreciated Devers coming to speak with him.

“It was needed,” Vitello said. “We were going to have to have a conversation, but it was a great talk. ... From this point on, it’s a non-issue.”

The Giants acquired Devers from Boston last June. He entered Tuesday batting .238 with 11 home runs and 36 RBIs. He had struck out 97 times in 298 at-bats.

San Francisco got swept by the Marlins, dropping its record to 31-46. Devers was asked if his reaction Sunday stemmed from the frustration of the season.

“We have a long season ahead of us,” Devers said. “We all have ups and downs. ... This could change any time and we just cannot get frustrated by anything.”

In an early afternoon news conference Tuesday, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey defended Devers.

“Everybody has missteps,” said Posey, the former longtime San Francisco catcher. “So, I don’t think you can have an instance like that and say that he’s not a good teammate.”

Posey declined to answer any questions regarding the Giants’ Pride Night on June 12.

Three San Francisco pitchers — starter Landen Roupp and relievers JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker — inscribed a Bible verse on their caps, which had the S.F. logo in rainbow colors. Reliever Sam Hentges opted to wear the team’s traditional cap.

Some fans and media members criticized the pitchers and the organization for not supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Others criticized the organization for not making allowances for the pitchers’ religious beliefs.

On Monday, baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said in a letter to Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri that the team failed to properly explain to players that they were allowed not to wear the rainbow caps.

“I understand that there are strong feelings on this topic,” Posey said. “There are differing perspectives and out of respect to everybody involved, it’s not something that I’m going to revisit.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

2026 NBA draft tracker: List of 1st-round picks

The players selected in the first round of the NBA draft Tuesday night in New York:

Scouting report: First-team Associated Press All-American and national scoring leader (25.5) as a sturdy-framed freshman. Pressured defenses by creating his own shot and getting to the line, where he led the country in made free throws (229) and attempts (296). Synergy rated him as “Excellent” as the ballhandler in pick-and-rolls (87th percentile, 27% of possessions) and post-ups (94th, 10.9%). Averaged 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Shot 51%. Scored BYU freshman-record 43 points against Utah. Must improve his 3-point shot (33.1%).

Scouting report: Scoring playmaker thrives off the dribble, in halfcourt and in transition. Freshman averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Shot 38.2% on 3-pointers, hitting six 3s in a win at Oklahoma State. Made 82.6% of free throws, logging six games with at least eight attempts. Biggest questions centered on availability. Dealt with a preseason full-body cramping issue requiring hospitalization, then missed 11 games for injury or illness. Frequently had limited minutes for uncertainty with his day-to-day status.

Scouting report: Fifth freshman named AP men’s national player of the year. Averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds. Shot 55.6%, routinely finishing through contact and physical play. Made 39.1% of 3s. Rated “Excellent” by Synergy against man defense (94th percentile), on post-ups (86th) and spot-up shots (95th). Strong passer (4.1 assists) out of double teams or in initiating offense. Son of former Duke and NBA player Carlos Boozer. Lacks explosive athleticism, relying more on strength and positioning than above-the-rim play.

Scouting report: Second-team AP All-American as a freshman with explosive athleticism, go-go-go motor, 7-foot wingspan and spotlight-embracing personality. Averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds. Thrived at the rim and in transition. Stood out in marquee wins against Kansas and rival Duke. Needs to add strength and hone his 3-point shot (25.9%). Had a national-leading 66 dunks when he suffered a broken left hand in mid-February, then broke his right thumb in practice when on the verge of returning in March.

Scouting report: Freshman four-star recruit became a second-team AP All-American in Illinois’ first Final Four run since 2005. Can play on or off the ball. Averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Shot 39.7% on 3s, hitting nine 3s in a 46-point outburst against Purdue. Rated “Excellent” by Synergy as the pick-and-roll ballhandler and with his jumper in off-the-dribble and catch-and-shoot opportunities. Lacks elite athleticism. Needs to add strength.

Scouting report: Freshman offers scoring punch with combo-guard size. Averaged 18.2 points and 4.7 assists. Erupted for 45 points and 10 3-pointers in a blowout of N.C. State to break the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman scoring record set by 2025 No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg. Needs to add strength. Battled back issues that sidelined him for eight midseason games and then resurfaced to sideline him for the last six.

Scouting report: First-team AP All-American with standout offensive skills. Freshman ranked third nationally in scoring (23.5) and 14th in assists (6.4), leading Razorbacks to first Southeastern Conference Tournament title in 26 years. Had program freshman-record 49 points in a double-overtime loss at Alabama. Thrived as the pick-and-roll ballhandler (rated “Excellent” in the 89th percentile by Synergy) and in isolation (rated “Very good” in the 74th percentile). Defense is a question.

Scouting report: Third-team AP All-American as a freshman with potential to be disruptive defensively. Averaged 16.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Pressured opponents in transition or off the bounce. Had program freshman-record 42 points in a loss to Texas Tech. Posted a nearly 3:1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Ranked in the top six at combine in lane-agility time, shuttle run and three-quarter-court sprint. Needs to add strength and refine shot mechanics.

Scouting report: Versatile and physical presence as a sophomore transfer from Illinois, helping Michigan win its first NCAA title since 1989. Averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks with potential to play forward or a small-ball 5-man. Thrived as a cutter, in post-ups and in finishing at the rim. Ranked ninth at the combine with a better than 7-3 wingspan.

Scouting report: Freshman combo guard offers potential to impact both ends of the court. Averaged 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists for 36-win Final Four team. Shot 49.1% overall, 39.1% on 3-pointers and 80.5% on free throws. Averaged 1.5 steals, including nine games with at least three. Ranked fourth at the combine in standing vertical leap (35 inches).

11. Golden State Warriors

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Los Angeles Clippers)

13. Miami Heat ( traded to Milwaukee )

14. Charlotte Hornets

15. Chicago Bulls (from Portland)

16. Memphis Grizzlies (from Phoenix via Orlando)

17. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Philadelphia)

18. Charlotte Hornets (from Orlando via Phoenix)

19. Toronto Raptors

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Atlanta)

21. Detroit Pistons (from Minnesota)

22. Philadelphia 76ers (from Houston via Oklahoma City)