Devers apologizes for 'misunderstanding' in pinch-runner incident

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rafael Devers caused a stir when he vented his frustration at being lifted for a pinch-runner in the top of the ninth inning of the Giants’ 2-1 loss in the series finale at Miami on Sunday. The three-time All-Star described the incident as a “misunderstanding,” but he said he had apologized to manager Tony Vitello for what many perceived to be a show of insubordination.

“Two days before that, I had told [Vitello] that I had a hamstring issue,” Devers said in Spanish on Tuesday. “I thought that was why he was taking me out of the game. That’s why I was trying to signal to him that I was fine. I think it was a misunderstanding.

“I apologized, which was the right thing for me to do.”

The Giants were down by one at the time of the incident, but they looked like they might flicker back to life when Devers drew a six-pitch leadoff walk against right-hander Lake Bachar in the top of the ninth.

Vitello subsequently sent the speedy Jonah Cox to pinch-run for Devers, who immediately voiced his displeasure with the move. The 29-year-old veteran wagged his finger at the dugout and attempted to wave off Cox before begrudgingly coming out of the game. When he returned to the dugout, Devers also dodged an attempted tap from bench coach Jayce Tingler.

Despite his disgruntled body language, Devers said he didn’t mean for his reaction to come off as disrespecting his manager.

“If [Vitello] took it that way, that’s why I went into his office and apologized to him,” said Devers, who started at first base and batted cleanup in Tuesday night’s series opener against the A’s.

Vitello said he and Devers spoke on the plane ride back from Miami and called the incident a “non-issue.”

“He came to me,” Vitello said. “We sat next to each other on the plane, had a good conversation. … It was a good chat we had. I went through all the stuff postgame, the baserunning stuff, the hamstring, how well he’s done for us. As a player or the type of teammate he is and the type of competitor, how bad he wants to win, I’m good to go into battle with him anytime.”

President of baseball operations Buster Posey hadn’t spoken to Devers when he held a pregame media availability with local reporters on Tuesday, but he said he planned to meet with his star slugger to clear the air at some point. Posey added that he didn’t view the defiant exchange as an indictment of Vitello’s leadership.

“I feel like Tony has the clubhouse,” Posey said. “I think he has the respect of the players in the clubhouse. Everything’s going to be heightened when our record is what it is, but there’s no concern on my part that he doesn’t have the respect of the clubhouse.”

The Giants entered Tuesday 15 games under .500 at 31-46, but Devers said he hasn’t lost faith in Vitello’s ability to lead the team.

“He’s a great person,” Devers said. “We always do what he says. He’s a person who’s gaining experience as he goes. He’s new to the business, new to the big leagues, but I think he’s a great person and manager.”

Devers, who rarely gives interviews, also blamed the media for blowing the pinch-runner controversy out of proportion.

“I know what kind of person I am and the type of person Tony is, as well,” Devers said. “I didn’t disrespect anyone in that moment, much less a person like him. You guys are the ones who blow things out of proportion. I don’t know why. I’m a person who doesn’t talk a lot and doesn’t give a lot of interviews. Maybe that’s why most of you don’t like me. Every time something happens with me, you guys make a big deal out of it. I don’t care what you guys think of me because you guys are the ones who always focus on the negatives.”

Still, Posey acknowledged that he would like to see Devers be more accountable with the media moving forward.

“I haven’t talked to Rafi about this,” Posey said. “I do think he understands that there’s got to be some accountability, and sometimes it’s not fun. It’s not fun to stand in front of a microphone or a camera, but that’s something that he’s going to need to work on.”