Giants End Devers' Season with 60-Day IL, Call Up Bandura

Key points

• Devers was placed on the 60-day IL to create a 40-man roster spot for Bandura, who makes his MLB debut.
• The Giants stated Devers managed the core muscle injury for much of the season and chose to keep playing.
• Devers will visit Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia on Monday, with a potential procedure scheduled for Tuesday.
• Devers finishes the year with 37 home runs, 36 doubles, and 98 RBIs, falling short of a 40-100 milestone.
• Bandura, a 25-year-old left-handed outfielder, hit .320/.407/.488 across 604 minor league plate appearances this year.
• Devers is the Giants' highest-paid player, owed $211 million over the next seven years, and turns 30 next month.

Background

Devers joined the Giants in June 2025 via a trade with the Red Sox that sent Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, James Tibbs III, and Jose Bello to Boston. He struggled early in the season but emerged as a top offensive threat from May onward. In late August, he returned to Fenway Park to a mixed reception from former Red Sox fans. In early September, he was on pace to become the first Giant to record 40+ doubles, 40+ home runs, and 100+ RBIs in a season. The Giants currently have 21 players on the injured list.

How outlets are covering it

MLB Trade Rumors emphasized Devers' elite production since August 1, noting a .291/.398/.674 slash line and 15 home runs, and argued that his performance makes a trade unlikely. McCovey Chronicles highlighted his status as the third-best hitter in MLB since May 1 in OPS and wRC+, trailing only Pete Crow-Armstrong and Yordan Alvarez. The San Francisco Standard focused on Devers' potential for the Willie Mac Award, noting his role as a mentor to young players despite a midseason disagreement with manager Tony Vitello. All sources agree that Devers' injury is season-ending and that Bandura's call-up is a strategic move to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Why it matters

Devers is the Giants' highest-paid player and a cornerstone of their 2027 lineup. His injury forces the team to rely on a crowded outfield group, including Casey Schmitt, Harrison Bader, and Jung Hoo Lee. The call-up of Bandura, who has shown speed and power, provides a fresh option for the outfield. The 60-day IL placement also reflects the Giants' strategy to manage their 40-man roster, which currently has 56 players, ahead of a potential lockout in December.

What to watch

Devers will meet with Dr. William Meyers on Monday, with a possible procedure on Tuesday. The Giants will evaluate their outfield options for 2027, potentially looking to add a veteran bat. Bandura will make his MLB debut, and the team will manage its 40-man roster crunch as the season winds down.