“Rafael Devers stars in a tense moment by resisting leaving the game against Miami”

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MIAMI, USA.– Dominican Rafael Devers once again grabbed attention this weekend after starring in an uncomfortable episode during the San Francisco Giants’ 2-1 loss to the Miami Marlins.

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The Dominican first baseman showed his disagreement when the coaching staff decided to replace him with pinch runner Jonah Cox at the start of the ninth inning. Devers had drawn a walk at a key moment in the game and felt he could remain on base despite manager Tony Vitello’s decision.

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¡Rafael Devers protagonizó una nueva polémica en el juego de los Gigantes ante los Marlins! 🫠.

Devers fue reemplazado por Jonah Cox, corredor emergente, en la novena entrada. "Carita" se rehusaba a salir del juego y cuando lo hizo, evitó cualquier contacto con los coaches de… pic.twitter.com/AIQWQ5xKlX

— ESPN Béisbol ⚾️ (@ESPN_Beisbol) June 21, 2026

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The situation caused confusion on the field, as the three-time All-Star made gestures indicating he was ready to continue in the game. He eventually left the field, although footage showed the Dominican player avoiding any contact with the trainers as he headed toward the dugout.

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After the game, manager Tony Vitello downplayed the incident and explained that the substitution was due to physical and preventive reasons.

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“He signaled to us that he was ready to run. We know he is available to play, but we also know how competitive he is. He just wanted to stay in the game,” the manager declared.

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Vitello also assured that there is no problem between them and highlighted the competitive mentality of the Dominican player.

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“We talk every day. We are fine. I prefer to have players who want to stay on the field and who have to be taken out of the game, rather than the opposite,” he stated.

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Devers, 29, is going through his first full season with San Francisco after arriving at the club in a high-profile trade from the Boston Red Sox in June 2025. However, the team is experiencing a difficult campaign and holds one of the worst records in the Major Leagues.

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The episode also occurs amidst rumors about possible roster moves and speculation regarding the future of some figures within the Californian organization.

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Despite the controversy, the coaching staff insisted that the situation was nothing more than a display of Devers’ competitive nature, as he did not want to leave the field at a decisive moment in the game.

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