Giants Slugger Rafael Devers Returns to Boston with a Bang

The San Francisco slugger faced some criticism about his final days with the Red Sox, then launched a bomb in Beantown to mark his return

Giants DH Rafael Devers, hitting his return homer | Credit: Paul Rutherfords | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

As the San Francisco Giants were preparing to travel East for three games at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, the natives were apparently pretty fired up about the return of a former BoSox player.

Except it wasn't being laid out as a warm homecoming, but more like a line of complaints and allegations. And for San Francisco first baseman Rafael Devers, it was a weird way to return to the Cradle of Liberty.

Devers answered his critics in New England with a blast that let his former team know just what they're missing. But how the entire situation leading up to that point has been a bit bizarre — almost as much as the slugger's stint so far in San Francisco.

Devers, 29, was acquired last season by the Giants from Boston in a move that president of baseball operations Buster Posey thought might push his club into the postseason. Unfortunately for San Fran, that plan didn't come to fruition, as Devers was inconsistent and the team didn't play with enough desperation down the stretch.

Rafael Devers homers in his first game back at Fenway Park 😮 pic.twitter.com/VNIWQnG25z

— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2026

It was back to the drawing board from there, but the picture hasn't been pretty in 2026. With their record 52-75, Devers and his teammates opened their series with the Red Sox amid a story that surfaced, claiming that the former All-Star had been churlish with coaches and management regarding playing first base last season. Some have speculated that the difficult behavior was why Boston didn't mind sending him West.

Devers Flexes His Muscle

Devers celebrates his blast | Credit: Paul Rutherford | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

For his part, Devers explained the entire situation from his perspective in the same story detailing his departure.

“In spring training, they talked to me and basically told me to put away my glove and I wasn’t going to play any other position but DH,” Devers told reporters at the time. “I don’t feel that they were true to their word. They told me that I was going to play this position — DH — and now they’re going back on that. I just don’t think they (are) staying true with their word.”

Devers' 26th homer of the year came as a solo shot in the fourth inning during his return. It was greeted with a mixed reaction from the crowd on hand, as the veteran circled the bases at Fenway. Outfielder Drew Gilbert added a long ball for the Giants, but it wasn't enough. The Red Sox spoiled their former star's return. They defeated San Francisco, 6-4.