SAN FRANCISCO — Rafael Devers made one point abundantly clear ahead of the Giants’ three-game series against his former team Friday: He was not interested in talking about the past.

Did Devers want to leave the Boston Red Sox? “That’s in the past. Those are not decisions that I control.”

Is there anything that the Red Sox could’ve done to repair the disconnect between Devers and the team? “That’s in the past. I really don’t want to talk about it. I want to concentrate on what’s in the future for me.”

Did the Red Sox disrespect Devers in the process? “I don’t want to talk about the past. I just want to concentrate now on my new team and my new teammates.”

On nearly 10 occasions, Devers offered some form of “I don’t want to talk about the past” or “I want to concentrate on the future” when speaking with Boston and local reporters through Giants interpreter Erwin Higueros. For all his deflecting, Devers picked his spots to pull back the curtain. Chiefly, when he was asked about the last time he was this happy.

“It’s been a long time,” said Devers, who is 3-for-11 in his first three games as a Giant heading into Friday’s series opener. “I don’t know how to explain it. But the feelings here, yes, I have been happy and feel very relaxed now.”

Was there anything Devers wishes he did different?

“Nothing,” Devers said. “I feel that I put up good numbers over there. I always gave my 100%.”

Devers also provided insight on the matter of first base. The 28-year-old said on Tuesday that he’d play first, a position he’s never played in the majors or minors. His willingness to play first in San Francisco starkly contrasted his unwillingness to do so in Boston after starting first baseman Triston Casas suffered a season-ending injury.

Boston’s request in May for Devers to play first base was preceded by previous tensions during spring training. When the Red Sox signed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman in February, Devers said he did not want to move off third base to accommodate the team’s new addition. Devers eventually acquiesced and became the team’s designated hitter.

So, why was Devers, who signed a 10-year, $313.5 million contract with the Red Sox in 2023, willing to play first base with San Francisco but not Boston?

“I would say I have put up good numbers over at Boston and I do feel I’ve earned some respect,” said Devers, who had a career .859 OPS with 215 home runs over nine seasons with Boston. “If they would have asked me at the beginning of spring training, yes I would have played (first base).”

Devers has yet to appear in a game at first base, and manager Bob Melvin said the team wants him to get comfortable at first before he plays the position during a game. With Devers still learning, it’s very unlikely his debut at first base comes this weekend against his old team.

Melvin said Devers is “not quite there yet,” noting that Devers will need to learn other responsibilities — cutoffs, relays, bunts — along with with fielding and throwing. Melvin said “he’s not sure” when asked if this home stand could be a possibility.

“There’ll kind of be an ‘ah ha’ moment where he feels better about it, but until you’ve actually played a game, it’s tough to realize what you’re up against,” Melvin said. “When he gets out there, there’s going to be some uncomfortable games until he gets up to speed at the position.”

“I will adapt. I just need to practice, practice, practice. When the time comes, I will let the manager know,” Devers said.

Luckily for Devers, former Giants first baseman and current special assistant Will Clark is in San Francisco this weekend to help Devers learn the position. Clark has worked frequently with top prospect Bryce Eldridge, and Devers will be his new protégé.

“There’s a lot of knowledge there,” Melvin said of Clark. “Great timing that he’s here this weekend to be able to work with him. He’s very eager to help.”

There have been reports in recent days that Devers took exception to rookie Kristian Campbell, who mainly plays second base, taking grounders at first base following Casas’ injury. Campbell, himself, refuted the report. When Devers was asked if he’d also say the report was false, Devers responded that he “didn’t say anything like that.”

As far as third base, Devers said there was never any talk of him playing the hot corner.

“That never came up,” Devers said. “We have one of the best third basemen in the league (in Matt Chapman) and we know when he comes back that is his position.”

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Devers had the opportunity to see several former teammates on Thursday since Boston had an off-day, admitting that it’s “strange” to be playing his old team less than a week after the trade. Melvin said there’s “a little bit more of a spotlight” on the series given the timing of the trade, but added that Devers “seems pretty comfortable.”

“It’s just all about playing baseball,” Melvin said. “Just trying to minimize the distractions. For all of us, it’s a series against a good team. For him, there’s a little more into it. … He tends to minimize things. I’m sure he wants to just move on from this series is my guess. Something he has to deal with for a couple days.”

Added Red Sox manager Alex Cora: “It’s awkward. This happened five days ago. A guy who’s been there since 2017 when he was first called up, all the way to his last game against New York, he produced. If you look at the list of homers in the franchise, 500 base hits, the World Series ring. There’s a lot of stuff Rafi did for us that we’re going to miss. We’re very proud of him. To see him here it’s going to be different.”

Regarding his current club, the Giants enter Friday ranked 17th in runs scored (315) and 22nd in OPS (.686). Chapman, whose .812 OPS ranks second on the team, will miss most of the remainder of the first half due to right hand inflammation and is currently wearing a splint. The Giants have only scored six runs since Devers entered the fold, but San Francisco’s new All-Star believes the offense will improve.

“There’s a reason why they brought me here,” Devers said. “We’re going to improve, our offense is going to get hot and we’re going to start winning games.”

Unlike Devers, left-hander Kyle Harrison and right-hander Jordan Hicks, who were part of Boston’s return package, will not have the opportunity to face their former team. Hicks is still on the 15-day injured list as he recovers from right great toe inflammation while Harrison was optioned to Triple-A upon being traded.

“We expect big things out of him, just like they did,” Cora said of Harrison. “A special fastball. We saw it last year at one point, so we’re excited about that.”

Verlander placed on paternity list

The Giants placed right-hander Justin Verlander on the paternity list prior to Friday’s game and recalled infielder Brett Wisely from Triple-A Sacramento.

On Wednesday, Verlander returned from the injured list and started against the Cleveland Guardians, his first appearance since May 18. In his first start back, Verlander allowed four runs (three earned) over 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts to one walk.

This season, Verlander has a 4.45 ERA over 11 starts with 47 strikeouts over 56 2/3 innings.