Giants manager Tony Vitello downplayed any issues with Rafael Devers after the first baseman tried to reject a pinch runner in the ninth inning of a one-run game on Sunday (video link via NBC Sports Bay Area). “I don’t have any problem with Rafi. We talk every day,” Vitello said (h/t Shayna Rubin of the SF Chronicle). “He’s one of the most entertaining guys to be around and he wants to win as much as anybody in that clubhouse.”
1. Marlins win eighth straight home game
Miami was on the winning side of the Devers situation. Lake Bachar worked around a leadoff walk to Devers, erasing pinch runner Jonah Cox on a double play to end the game. The Marlins swept the Giants to move to 14-4 in June. The club has picked up eight consecutive victories at loanDepot Park. Miami’s 26 wins at home are tied with the Dodgers and Rays for the most in the league. The Marlins moved into a tie for third place in the NL East with the Nationals. They’ll remain at home to open this week, taking on the Rangers in a three-game set.
2. Woodruff back on Monday
The Brewers are expected to reinstate righty Brandon Woodruff from the injured list to start on Monday against the Reds. The veteran went down with shoulder inflammation at the end of April. He was pulled from a start against the Diamondbacks after just six batters, with his fastball sitting in the mid-80s. Woodruff was pitching reasonably well before the injury. He’s had to navigate a career-low 20.7% strikeout rate, but he’s posted a 3.60 ERA through six starts. Woodruff’s return likely bumps lefty Shane Drohan back to a relief role.
3. Bieber expected to return against Houston
Woodruff isn’t the only former ace getting back on the mound on Monday. The Blue Jays are planning to activate right-hander Shane Bieber off the 60-day IL for a matchup against the Astros. The veteran has been sidelined since the spring with elbow inflammation. Bieber’s results during his rehab assignment were uninspiring (6.88 ERA in five starts), but he reached five innings twice and got up to 80 pitches in his last appearance. The righty averaged 91.8 mph on his four-seamer in three Triple-A starts. That’s down from his seven big-league starts in 2025, when he averaged 92.6 mph on the heater, but not by too much. Bieber’s return will give Toronto five healthy starters, something the club hasn’t had too often this season.
Photo courtesy of Rhona Wise, Imagn Images
