Kevin Kiermaier
YEARTEAMGABRHitsRBIDTHRBBSOSBCSEAVGOBPSLUG
2015Crushers86283215219186518714010.1840.2350.343
2016Crushers43568811008143000.1430.2500.161
2017Crushers8430247733714113197220030.2420.2980.424
2018Crushers89373597335849358612010.1960.2670.311
2019Crushers2434864201480000.1760.2820.324
2020Trolleys59201233721727134812020.1840.2410.343
2021Trolleys431091019832110354210.1740.2500.266
2022Trolleys00000000000000.0000.0000.000
2023Samurai4112610100141000.0830.1540.167
2024Samurai28831218143248161000.2170.2860.446
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
Feb 9 2025Kiermaier joined the Blue Jays' front office as a special assistant on Saturday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder spent the majority of his career in Tampa Bay but was in Toronto for most of his final two seasons, and that's where he'll begin his post-playing career as a resource for outfielders. Kiermaier announced in July he would be retiring after the 2024 season, and he's apparently had no second thoughts following the completion of his 12th MLB campaign.
Oct 25 2024Kiermaier is not on the Dodgers' World Series roster, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was included on the NLCS roster instead of Miguel Rojas (thigh), but Rojas is healthy enough to return to action for the World Series. He's announced he will retire after the season, so Kiermaier has played in his last major-league game, barring him being an injury replacement later in the series.
Oct 13 2024Kiermaier (finger) is included on Los Angeles' roster for the NLCS versus the Mets, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier dislocated his left ring finger late in the regular season and wasn't part of the Dodgers' NLDS victory over San Diego, but he's apparently now healthy and ready to play. The veteran outfielder came to Los Angeles at the trade deadline in a deal with Toronto, and over 34 contests with Los Angeles he posted a .203/.242/.322 slash line to go along with one home run, eight RBI, seven runs and a stolen base. Kiermaier announced earlier in the campaign that this will be his final season in the majors, and he'll have a chance to contribute to a World Series push as a reserve outfielder who is still capable of playing excellent defense.
Sep 28 2024Manager Dave Roberts said after Saturday's 13-2 win over the Rockies that Kiermaier is day-to-day after dislocating his left ring finger, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was seen grabbing his finger after sliding into second base on an attempt to extend his RBI single in the fourth inning into a double. He was able to pop his finger back in, but he was replaced by Andy Pages in the bottom of the frame.
Sep 1 2024Kiermaier will start in center field and bat eighth in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he'll pick up his second start in a row Sunday, Kiermaier has faded into more of a part-time role after serving as the Dodgers' primary option in center field through the first three weeks of August. Tommy Edman has since taken over as the Dodgers' preferred center fielder, but manager Dave Roberts will make room for both Kiermaier and Edman on Sunday while the latter fills in at shortstop for a resting Miguel Rojas.
Aug 19 2024Kiermaier isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against Seattle, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Tommy Edman is fresh off the injured list and will draw the start in center field Monday night, booting Kiermaier to the bench. Manager Dave Roberts said before the game that Edman will start at shortstop Tuesday, per Vassegh, meaning Kiermaier will likely be back in center field for the second game of the series.
Aug 16 2024Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 7-6 win over the Cardinals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The homer was Kiermaier's first since July 14, and it gave the Dodgers just enough breathing room in the sixth inning. The outfielder hasn't done much at the plate in August, going 6-for-24 (.250) over 11 contests. He's up to a .201/.244/.321 slash line with five homers, 23 RBI, six stolen bases and 27 runs scored across 245 plate appearances between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays this year. Kiermaier continues to see a slight edge for playing time in center field over Andy Pages.
Aug 15 2024Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in Milwaukee, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Andy Pages will occupy center field, as he and Kiermaier ended up splitting the starts at the position during the four-game set against the Brewers. Kiermaier has been the preferred option at the position of late, making six starts to Pages' three across the last nine contests.
Aug 12 2024Kiermaier will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will occupy center for the fifth time in six games, with two of his starts coming against left-handed pitching. The Dodgers seem to be favoring Kiermaier over Andy Pages at the moment, with the former's superior defense giving him the edge in playing time while the latter has been slumping at the plate. Kiermaier is batting just 1-for-13 with six strikeouts since joining the Dodgers at the trade deadline and is slashing .188/.233/.296 on the season, so fantasy managers likely won't be able to extract much value from him even if he continues to play ahead of Pages.
Aug 11 2024Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Saturday's win over the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier led off the bottom of the seventh with a single before going on to swipe his sixth bag of the campaign. It marked the outfielder's first hit since being acquired by the Dodgers at the start of August, while the stolen base was his first since June 19 against the Red Sox (as a member of the Blue Jays). Though not an everyday player, Kiermaier could prove to be useful for the Dodgers at times, given his defensive prowess and speed on the basepaths.
Jul 30 2024The Dodgers acquired Kiermaier on Tuesday in exchange for left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier confirmed last week that 2024 will be his final season in the majors, and he'll get the chance to chase his first World Series ring while he links up with one of the top teams in the Senior Circuit. The 34-year-old outfielder has put up a .546 OPS through 217 plate appearances this season and likely won't be an everyday player for Los Angeles, but he could make occasional starts in center field to give Andy Pages a breather.
Jul 29 2024Kiermaier (hip) will start in center field and bat eighth in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was removed in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Rangers after bruising his left hip when he collided with the outfield wall. He sat out the Blue Jays' 11-5 loss in the first game of Monday's doubleheader, but the injury won't prevent him from playing in the nightcap. For the month of July, Kiermaier has slashed .182/.217/.364 with two home runs and six RBI across 46 plate appearances.
Jul 28 2024Kiermaier was diagnosed with a left hip contusion after leaving Sunday's game against the Rangers, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder suffered the injury during the sixth inning when he had a hard collision with the outfield wall. Kiermaier appears to have avoided a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's doubleheader at Baltimore.
Jul 27 2024Kiermaier isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup for Saturday's game versus Texas. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout during Friday's series opener. In his place, Daulton Varsho will move to center field while Steward Berroa picks up a start in left.
Jul 25 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though the Blue Jays are facing off against right-hander Taj Bradley on Thursday, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will get a breather for the day game after he started in center field in Wednesday night's 6-3 win. Davis Schneider will pick up a start in the outfield in place of Kiermaier, who made headlines Wednesday by announcing that the 2024 season would be the last of his 11-year MLB career.
Jul 24 2024Kiermaier, who is starting in center field and batting eighth Wednesday against the Rays, said he plans to retire after the end of the 2024 season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 34-year-old was placed on waivers by the Blue Jays just before the All-Star break, but he went unclaimed and continues to see the field for Toronto. Kiermaier had a resurgent 2023 campaign with a .265/.322/.419 slash line in 129 games for the Blue Jays, but he has a career-worst .553 OPS through 76 contests this year and has elected to hang up his cleats at season's end. He's a candidate to be moved ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, but given that he's making $10.5 million this year and has already cleared waivers, there likely won't be significant trade interest.
Jul 23 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will take a seat Tuesday with southpaw Tyler Alexander expected to follow opener Shawn Armstrong for Tampa Bay. Kiermaier is 2-for-5 with a double and two runs since the All-Star break.
Jul 21 2024Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the first two games coming out of the All-Star break but will sit Sunday after going 2-for-5 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider receives a start in left.
Jul 15 2024Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier capped off a seven-run rally against Zac Gallen with a first-pitch grand slam in the fourth to put the Blue Jays up 7-0. The long ball was his second this month and his fourth on the year. Sunday marked just the third time this season Kiermaier drove in multiple runs. He's now up to 18 RBI and has driven in five over his past two starts. For the year, the 34-year-old is slashing .189/.234/.306 with 11 extra-base hits, 21 runs and a 10:62 BB:K in 196 plate appearances.
Jul 13 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Even with righty Yilber Diaz on the mound for Arizona, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will take a seat. Kiermaier cleared waivers Friday and it seems as though he'll remain with the Blue Jays for the time being. Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer fill the outfield from left to right Saturday.
Jul 12 2024Kiermaier told Hazel Mae of Sportsnet that he has cleared waivers, and he is starting in center field and batting eighth in Friday's series opener against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was placed on revocable waivers Thursday, with the 34-year-old slashing just .183/.232/.290 with a 32.3 percent strikeout rate this season. He will remain in Toronto for now with no team claiming him off waivers, and the Blue Jays have the option of keeping him around or releasing him from the roster. Kiermaier re-signed with the Blue Jays in the offseason on a one-year, $10.5 million contract.
Jul 11 2024The Blue Jays placed Kiermaier, who is in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants, on waivers, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 34-year-old re-signed with Toronto on a one-year, $10.5 million contract during the offseason, but he's struggled at the plate in 2024 with a .183/.232/.290 slash line in 70 games. Given Kiermaiers' poor production and remaining salary, it's unlikely another team will be willing to put in a waiver claim, so he could stick with the Blue Jays until the clubs elects to outright him off the roster.
Jul 9 2024Kiermaier isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Tuesday versus the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier had started in the last four games and went 2-for-13 with a home run in that stretch. Davis Schneider enters the lineup in left field with Daulton Varsho shifting over to center.
Jul 5 2024Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Friday's 2-1 loss to the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier got Toronto on the board in the sixth inning, but his homer was the team's lone run. The outfielder appears to be in a timeshare in center field with Daulton Varsho, though Kiermaier's main attribute is his defense. For the year, Kiermaier sports a .191/.234/.299 slash line with three homers, 13 RBI, 17 runs scored and five stolen bases across 171 plate appearances.
Jul 1 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier had started both of the Blue Jays' final two games of the weekend series with the Yankees and six of the last eight contests overall, but he looks set to fill more of a fourth-outfielder role moving forward. His recent uptick in playing time was due in part to Daulton Varsho missing out on three straight starts due to a back injury, but Varsho returned to action Thursday.
Jun 26 2024Kiermaier will start in center field and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will pick up his fifth consecutive start Wednesday, though Daulton Varsho is on the bench with a back injury for a fourth day in a row. The 34-year-old at least showed some signs of life at the plate with a three-hit performance in Tuesday's 9-4 win, and another strong game Wednesday could put Kiermaier back in the mix for more playing time in the outfield even after Varsho returns. Varsho could slide over to left field to make room for Kiermaier in center on a more frequent basis if the Blue Jays choose to scale back the playing time of Davis Schneider, who is hitting .135 dating back to June 6.
Jun 24 2024Kiermaier will start in center field and bat ninth in Monday's game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a third consecutive start, but he'll most likely be the odd man out of the Toronto outfield once Daulton Varsho (back) -- who is out of the lineup for a second straight day -- returns to action. Since returning from the injured list May 4, Kiermaier is slashing .177/.224/.329 over a stretch of 35 games.
Jun 15 2024Kiermaier (knee) will start in center field and bat ninth Saturday versus Cleveland, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will be back in center field after being held out of the starting lineup for two consecutive games with a bruised knee. The 34-year-old has struggled to a .125 average with a solo home run over 16 at-bats in June.
Jun 14 2024Kiermaier (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will be held out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game after sustaining a bruised knee Tuesday. However, with a left-handed pitcher on the mound for Cleveland, it's unlikely that the lefty-hitting center fielder would've been in the lineup even if fully healthy. Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer will fill the outfield from left to right Friday.
Jun 12 2024Kiermaier (knee) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier exited Tuesday's 3-0 win with a bruised right knee, and the Blue Jays and Brewers are concluding their series with a day game after a night game, so the veteran outfielder's absence doesn't come as a major surprise. With the benefit of a team off day Thursday, Kiermaier could be cleared to play in this weekend's series versus the Guardians, though he may be viewed as more of a part-time player these days while he's hitting just .200 with a career-worst .565 OPS on the season.
Jun 11 2024Kiermaier was removed from Tuesday's game against the Brewers due to a right knee contusion, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier fouled a ball off his knee in the fourth inning and eventually came out of the game in the seventh. Because the Jays are only calling his injury a bruise, it's likely he avoided a serious injury, but it's possible the 34-year-old sits out a game or two in order to heal.
Jun 10 2024Kiermaier is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The domino effect of Spencer Horwitz getting regular reps at second base could impact Kiermaier, as it means more Davis Schneider in left field Daulton Varsho in center, which is how the Blue Jays have things set up Monday. Kiermaier is just 3-for-25 at the plate over his last 10 contests.
Jun 6 2024Kiermaier isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Orioles have left-hander Cade Povich on the bump, so the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will begin the game on the bench. Daulton Varsho will cover center field and Davis Schneider will be in left field for the Blue Jays.
Jun 4 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermier is sitting for the third time in the last four games despite the Blue Jays facing a right-handed pitcher. Daulton Varsho will slide to center field Tuesday, while Davis Schneider and George Springer fill the corners.
Jun 2 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Kiermaier will sit for the second straight matchup against a right-hander (Quinn Priester), perhaps signaling that the veteran's hold on a regular role in the outfield could be tenuous. Daniel Vogelbach has been included in the lineup at designated hitter in both of the past two games at Kiermaier's expense, while Toronto has rolled out outfields of Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer from left to right. Kiermaier is hitting just .212 with a .265 on-base percentage across 116 plate appearances on the season.
Jun 1 2024Kiermaier is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a breather after he went 1-for-11 with an RBI, a run scored, two stolen bases and four strikeouts while starting the last three games. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field while Cavan Biggio enters the lineup at second base after some shuffling, batting ninth against Pittsburgh.
May 27 2024Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Blue Jays are facing a right-hander in Nick Nastrini, but the left-handed hitting Kiermaier will nonetheless begin the game on the bench for a second straight day. Daulton Varsho will occupy center field, Davis Schneider will be in left and Cavan Biggio will cover second base.
May 26 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has an .861 OPS in 36 at-bats since he returned from a hip injury in early May, and he'll sit Sunday after starting the previous four games. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider moves to left.
May 21 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will dodge a matchup with the left-handed Garrett Crochet. Instead, Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho and George Springer will fill the outfield Tuesday.
May 17 2024Kermaier is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Tampa Bay. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed batter will start from the dugout with the Blue Jays facing southpaw Tyler Alexander. Daulton Varsho will start in center field and bat seventh in place of Kiermaier with Davis Schneider and George Springer rounding out Toronto's outfield.
May 14 2024Kiermaier is starting in center field and batting ninth for Tuesday's game at Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier sat out the previous four games due to an illness but is back in action for Tuesday's contest. The 34-year-old has played in just three games since he returned from the injured list May 4 and has gone 4-for-10 with a homer and four RBI.
May 13 2024Kiermaier (illness) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will miss out on a fourth consecutive start while he's apparently still under the weather, but he was able to make an appearance as a late-inning defensive replacement in Saturday's 10-8 win over the Twins. He'll presumably be available off the bench again Monday, provided he hasn't experienced any setbacks in his recovery from the ailment. Daulton Varsho will cover center field in Kiermaier's stead in the series opener in Baltimore.
May 12 2024Kiermaier (illness) remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will close the weekend without making a start during the Blue Jays' series with the Twins while he continues to recover from an illness. He felt well enough to enter Saturday's 10-8 win as a late-inning defensive replacement, so Kiermaier should be available off the bench again in the series finale.
May 11 2024Kiermaier (illness) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier and George Springer will both miss a second straight game due to illness. Just as he did in Friday's game, Daulton Varsho will start in center field while Davis Schneider and Cavan Biggio line up in left and right field, respectively.
May 10 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup Friday against the Twins due to an illness, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started three of four games since he returned from the injured list due to hip inflammation last weekend, but he's now feeling under the weather. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider and Cavan Biggio man the corner outfield spots.
May 9 2024Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran center fielder has been productive since returning from a hip issue May 4, going 4-for-10 in three games with a homer and four RBI. Kiermaier delivered a .741 OPS last season, his best mark since 2017, but he's had a sluggish start to the current campaign, slashing .224/.278/.299 through 25 contests.
May 5 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll join fellow left-handed-hitting regular Cavan Biggio on the bench as the Blue Jays replace the two with a pair of right-handed hitters (Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement, respectively) to counter Nationals southpaw MacKenzie Gore. Kiermaier returned from the 10-day injured list Saturday and popped a two-run home run in the Blue Jays' 6-3 win.
May 4 2024Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Activated from the injured list earlier in the day following a minimum absence with a hip injury, Kiermaier took reliever Derek Law deep in the eighth inning to extend the Blue Jays' lead. It was his first longball of the season and just his third extra-base hit. Kiermaier finished last season with an above-average 104 OPS+, but for fantasy purposes he remains more of an AL-only play.
Apr 24 2024The Blue Jays placed Kiermaier on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with left hip flexor inflammation. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Toronto called up utility man Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo as a replacement on the 26-man active roster for Kiermaier, who was forced to exit Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals with the injury. Given that his injury is being termed as inflammation rather than a hip flexor strain, Kiermaier would seem to have a good chance at avoiding an extended absence, though the Blue Jays haven't provided an official timeline for his return. Kiermaier will first be eligible for activation May 4.
Apr 23 2024Kiermaier was removed from Tuesday's game against the Royals due to left hip flexor discomfort, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 0-for-2 during Tuesday's loss before being replaced on defense heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Blue Jays are officially considering him day-to-day, so his injury doesn't appear to be too serious, but it's possible the team holds him out of the lineup for a game or two to ensure he gets back to 100 percent.
Apr 22 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will head to the bench after he had started each of the previous four games in center field, going 5-for-13 with two doubles, one walk, two runs and two RBI over that stretch. Daulton Varsho will shift over to center field in Kiermaier's place while Davis Schneider draws a start in left field.
Apr 18 2024Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran center fielder kept flipping the lineup over from the ninth slot in the order as he produced just his second multi-hit performance of the season. Kiermaier's had a slow start to the season at the plate but has begun to come around, batting .296 (8-for-27) over his last 10 games with a double, a steal, an RBI and four runs scored. His strong-side platoon role and his spot at the bottom of the batting order limit his fantasy appeal, but Kiermaier still has some value in AL-only formats.
Apr 13 2024Kiermaier is not in Saturday's lineup against the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While Kiermaier generally sits against lefties, he's started to sit against some righties this week, with Davis Schneider picking up starts in left field in three of the last five games (all against right-handed starters) and Daulton Varsho shifting over to center field. Kiermaier is batting .143 with a 36.8 percent strikeout rate.
Apr 9 2024Kiermaier is not in the Blue Jays' starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Despite facing Rays right-hander George Kirby, the Blue Jays will keep Kiermaier in the dugout for Tuesday's game and start Daulton Varsho in center field. Kiermaier has struggled to make contact early in the season, slashing .107/.194/.107 with two RBI and two stolen bases while striking out 11 times over 31 plate appearances.
Apr 6 2024Kiermaier (back) is starting in center field and batting ninth in Saturday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was scratched from Friday's lineup due to lower-back tightness, but he's back in center field Saturday. He has struggled from the plate to start the season, going 1-for-18 with one RBI, two walks and six strikeouts.
Apr 5 2024Kiermaier was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Yankees due to lower-back tightness. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was slated to start in center field Friday, per usual, but he'll instead be on the bench due to the back issue. The veteran outfielder should be considered day-to-day. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Davis Schneider moves out to left, with Cavan Biggio entering the lineup at second base.
Mar 31 2024Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday versus the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the first three games of the season despite suffering an injury caused by fouling a ball off his knee near the end of spring training. To begin the season, the 33-year-old has a walk and a hit in 10 plate appearances. With Daulton Varsho shifting to center field, Davis Schneider is starting in Kiermaier's lineup spot out in left.
Mar 24 2024Kiermaier (knee) is starting in center field and batting seventh in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder exited Saturday's contest after fouling a pitch off his right knee, but he's back in the starting nine a day later. Kiermaier is set to begin the season as Toronto's primary center fielder.
Mar 23 2024Kiermaier is expected to be ready to return Sunday or Monday after exiting Saturday's Grapefruit League contest when he fouled a ball off his right knee, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier didn't need any imaging done and the feeling is that he could have stayed in the game had it been the regular season. He might be sore Sunday, but there isn't any long-term concern here.
Mar 8 2024Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran center fielder led off the second inning by driving a Kenta Maeda offering into the bullpen in right-center field for his first long ball of the spring. Kiermaier is coming off his healthiest, and best, season since 2017, as he played in 129 games and posted a .741 OPS with eight homers and 14 steals while anchoring the best defensive outfield in the majors by a number of metrics. Back in Toronto on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, the Blue Jays will be content if the 33-year-old can simply repeat that performance.
Dec 26 2023Kiermaier signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier played well for in Toronto in 2023, slashing .265/.322/.419 with eight home runs and 14 stolen bases over 129 games while winning another Gold Glove in center field. The 33-year-old stayed relatively healthy and isn't a great bet to do so again in 2024, but he remains a good fit with the Blue Jays. With Kiermaier back in tow, it's fair to wonder whether Toronto might now be out of the running for Cody Bellinger.
Oct 1 2023Kiermaier is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With the Jays locked into a postseason spot, Kiermaier will get a few days to rest up. Daulton Varsho slides to center field while Cam Eden draws a start in left.
Sep 30 2023Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 11-4 win over the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Blue Jays have often built in rest days for the historically injury-prone Kiermaier throughout the season, but he picked up his sixth consecutive start Friday as Toronto looks to solidify a wild-card spot. Assuming the Blue Jays are able to punch their ticket to the postseason, Kiermaier's speed and defensive prowess should be enough to assure him the bulk of the starts in center field in October, though he may still be at risk of losing work against left-handed pitching.
Sep 22 2023Kiermaier isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Friday against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a breather to begin Toronto's series with Tampa Bay after going 4-for-10 and scoring four times during the Jays' series against the Yankees. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field in Kiermaier's absence while Whit Merrifield starts in left.
Sep 13 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the past five games and will receive a day off after he went 4-for-16 with a double, a triple, a solo homer and a stolen base during that stretch. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field while Whit Merrifield (groin) receives a start in left against Rangers southpaw Jordan Montgomery.
Sep 11 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's home run proved to be the difference after a seventh-inning solo blast put the Blue Jays up 3-2. It was his second long ball in eight games this month, and he's hitting .346/.370/.731 with three RBI, six runs and a 1:5 BB:K over that span. His stolen base was his 13th of the year, as he's notched double-digits for the first time since 2019. For the season, the 33-year-old is slashing .274/.332/.436 with eight homers, 34 RBI, 51 runs and a 25:74 BB:K in 353 plate appearances.
Sep 6 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Oakland, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll grab a seat as the Athletics send left-hander JP Sears to the mound. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field, with Whit Merrifield playing left and Davis Schneider occupying second base.
Sep 5 2023Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-1 win over the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has gone 6-for-15 (.400) over five games in September. The outfielder got the scoring started Tuesday with an RBI single in the seventh inning, sparking a six-run rally. He's hitting .274 with a .760 OPS, seven home runs, 33 RBI, 49 runs scored and 12 stolen bases over 109 contests overall. Kiermaier should continue to be a lineup regular versus right-handed pitchers. He was in the starting nine Tuesday versus lefty Ken Waldichuk, making this the third time in the last four games against southpaws that Kiermaier has started.
Sep 3 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against Colorado, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After belting a home run during Saturday's loss, Kiermaier will get a breather to close out the Blue Jays' series in Denver. Whit Merrifield, Daulton Varsho and George Springer will make up Toronto's outfield from left to right.
Sep 2 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 8-7 loss to the Rockies. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is finding some traction at the plate, going 5-for-14 (.357) over his last four games. The homer was his second in the last nine games, and he's up to seven long balls on the year. The veteran outfielder is slashing .271/.332/.422 with 32 RBI, 47 runs scored, 12 stolen bases, 15 doubles and five triples over 335 plate appearances.
Aug 30 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With the Blue Jays and Nationals getting together for a day game after a night game and with Washington bringing a southpaw (Patrick Corbin) to the hill, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will exit the starting nine. Toronto will roll out an outfield of Whit Merrifield, Daulton Varsho and Cavan Biggio from left to right in the series finale.
Aug 27 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he sat out Saturday's 8-3 win while lefty Logan Allen took the hill for Cleveland, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier finds himself on the bench for the series finale versus a right-handed starting pitcher (Noah Syndergaard). The Blue Jays haven't indicated that Kiermaier is dealing with a new injury, so he could just be getting some extra maintenance after he returned just over a week ago from a stint on the injured list due to a right elbow laceration.
Aug 26 2023Kiermaier will hit the bench Saturday against Cleveland. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will hit the bench against lefty Logan Allen, with Daulton Varsho sliding to center field and Whit Merrifield moving out to left. Kiermaier has now sat against each of the last four southpaws the Blue Jays have faced.
Aug 24 2023Kiermaier isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is 3-for-15 with a homer and three RBI since returning from the injured list Friday, and he'll get a breather for Thursday's series finale. Daulton Varsho will slide to center field in Kiermaier's absence, moving Whit Merrifield into left while Cavan Biggio starts at the keystone.
Aug 21 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's win over the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The center fielder got a five-homer barrage for the Blue Jays started when he took Hunter Greene deep in the second inning. It was Kiermaier's first hit in two starts since coming off the IL on Friday, but since the All-Star break he still sports a solid .271/.333/.407 slash line in 24 games with two home runs, one steal, eight runs and 10 RBI.
Aug 19 2023Kiermaier will head to the bench Saturday against the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier returned from a minimum-length trip to the injured list Friday after recovering from an elbow laceration. The veteran outfielder won't be asked to start on consecutive days immediately following his return, so it will be Daulton Varsho in center field Saturday with Whit Merrifield in Varsho's usual spot in left.
Aug 18 2023Toronto activated Kiermaier (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was out for exactly 10 days because of a right elbow laceration. He is starting in center field and batting ninth in his return to the Blue Jays' active roster Friday night against the Reds.
Aug 15 2023Kiermaier (elbow) said he expects to be activated from the injured list Friday, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier took batting practice on the field ahead of Tuesday's game against Philadelphia, and he said he felt good swinging despite still having eight stitches in his right arm. The 33-year-outfielder is slashing .294/.362/.392 since the All-Star break and will slide back in as Toronto's primary center fielder once he returns from the IL.
Aug 8 2023Toronto placed Kiermaier on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to Aug. 7, with a right elbow laceration. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier required eight stitches around his elbow after colliding with the outfield wall Sunday against the Red Sox and will now officially be sidelined until at least next weekend. Nathan Lukes is joining the Blue Jays' outfield mix Tuesday in a corresponding roster move.
Aug 7 2023Kiermaier (elbow) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Guardians. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will need at least one game off to recover from the right elbow laceration he suffered in Sunday's 13-1 win over the Red Sox. He required eight stitches to seal the wound, but the injury isn't believed to be anything that will force the veteran outfielder to the injured list. With Kiermaier on the bench Monday, upstart rookie Davis Schneider will be awarded a fourth straight start, this time in left field after he had previously played second base in the last three contests.
Aug 6 2023Kiermaier was removed from Sunday's 13-1 win over the Red Sox in the sixth inning due to a right elbow laceration, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports. He went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run before he was removed from the contest. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier opened a wound on his elbow when he collided with the outfield wall while flagging down a Luis Urias flyball. He required eight stitches to close the gash on his elbow and is considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's series opener in Cleveland. Daulton Varsho will likely serve as the Blue Jays' primary center fielder if Kiermaier needs to miss any length of time.
Aug 5 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Right-hander John Schreiber is opening the contest for Boston, but lefty Chris Murphy is expected to work as the primary pitcher. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field with Kiermaier on the bench while Whit Merrifield starts in left.
Aug 4 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday at Boston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Daulton Varsho will patrol center field and bat ninth as the Blue Jays face off against the Red Sox and left-hander James Paxton. The left-handed-hitting Kiermaier continues to see most of playing time versus right-handed pitching opponents.
Jul 30 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he drew the start in center field against Angels lefty Reid Detmers in Saturday's 6-1 win and went 1-for-4 with a run scored, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will bow out of the starting nine Sunday while Los Angeles brings another southpaw (Tyler Anderson) to the hill. Daulton Varsho replaces Kiermaier in center field and as the Blue Jays' No. 9 batter.
Jul 26 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a breather for the matinee game after he went 5-for-14 with a solo home run, a double and two walks while starting each of the last four contests. With Kiermaier on the bench, the Blue Jays will roll out an outfield of Whit Merrifield, Daulton Varsho and George Springer from left to right.
Jul 23 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's 9-8 loss to the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder launched one of three long balls off Logan Gilbert in the fifth inning. Kiermaier snapped a 39-game homer drought in the process, a stretch in which he slashed just .196/.279/.272. His .758 OPS on the season is still his best mark since 2017, but Kiermaier's added only five homers, 11 steals, 22 RBI and 37 runs in 82 contests to his ledger.
Jul 21 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday at Seattle. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Daulton Varsho will play center field and Whit Merrifield is in left. Kiermaier went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's series finale versus the Padres and is slashing just .206/.271/.270 over his last 70 plate appearances dating back to June 15.
Jul 20 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 33-year-old center fielder continues to stay healthy and relatively productive. Kiermaier's 79 games played in 2023 are already more than the 63 he managed last year, and his .760 OPS would be his highest mark since 2017. He's also gone a perfect 11-for-11 on the basepaths while adding four homers, 21 RBI and 36 runs.
Jul 15 2023Kiermaier will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started seven of the last eight games prior to the break but will hit the bench in the second game of the second half. He came out of the gates strong this season, slashing .319/.365/.521 through the end of May, but he's hit just .179/.261/.244 since the start of June. Daulton Varsho slides to center field in his absence, with Whit Merrifield starting in left.
Jul 6 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup for the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started in center field in the first game and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The Jays shuffled their lineup for the second game, with Whit Merrifield re-entering the lineup to play left field while hitting sixth.
Jul 4 2023Kiermaier went 0-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has picked up five of his 10 steals on the year over his last 14 games, but he's batting just .158 (6-for-38) in that span. He dealt with back spasms in late June, and his bat has yet to come around since he returned. The outfielder is slashing a solid .270/.333/.431 with four home runs, 18 RBI, 33 runs scored, 11 doubles and five triples through 69 contests.
Jul 3 2023Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After missing four games during the week due to back spasms, Kiermaier returned to the lineup Saturday and drew a walk before stealing his ninth base of the season Sunday. It's an encouraging sign as far as his health goes, but the veteran outfielder hasn't had a multi-hit performance since June 5, slashing just .163/.265/.233 in the 19 games since.
Jul 1 2023Kiermaier (back) is starting in center field and batting ninth Saturday against Boston, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's back spasms forced him to miss Toronto's last four games, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Saturday's contest. The 33-year-old outfielder was 3-for-12 with two RBI and three runs scored over his last five games before getting injured.
Jun 30 2023Kiermaier (back) remains absent from the lineup Friday versus the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has been sidelined all week due to back spasms, though there's still no indication that he will require an injured list stint. Daulton Varsho is covering center field Friday and Whit Merrifield is in left, allowing Santiago Espinal to start at second base.
Jun 29 2023Kiermaier (back) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has been on the bench for four of the last five games as he battles back spasms. He's considered day-to-day for the time being, but an injured list stint will have to be mulled if he doesn't improve soon. Daulton Varsho will be in center field Thursday, Whit Merrifield will handle left and Santiago Espinal will cover second base.
Jun 28 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup on Wednesday while dealing with back spasms, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier told reporters that he's considered day-to-day. It helps explain why the outfielder has missed the last two games. While Kiermaier isn't available to start, Daulton Varsho should see the majority of reps in center field.
Jun 27 2023Kiermaier is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Whit Merrifield, Daulton Varsho and George Springer will start across the outfield for the Blue Jays as they face off against the Giants and opener Ryan Walker. Kiermaier figures to appear off the bench at some point in the contest. Beyond his tremendous defensive play in center, he carries a respectable .776 OPS through 215 plate appearances this year.
Jun 24 2023Kiermaier is not in Saturday's lineup against the Athletics. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Hogan Harris will pitch the majority of the innings for Oakland, pushing Kiermaier to the bench. Santiago Espinal enters the lineup at second base, while Whit Merrifield will shift to left field.
Jun 16 2023Kiermaier isn't in Toronto's lineup Friday against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Lefty Martin Perez will start on the mound for the Rangers on Friday, so the left-handed bat of Kiermaier will remain in the dugout. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field while Kiermaier sits, moving Whit Merrifield into left and Santiago Espinal in to start at second base while batting ninth.
Jun 13 2023Kiermaier (wrist) is starting in center field for the Blue Jays against the Orioles on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A bruised left wrist has kept Kiermaier out of action since he was removed from Thursday's game following a HBP, but the 33-year-old outfielder will return to Toronto's lineup batting ninth Tuesday. Kiermaier holds an .839 OPS on the season but is slashing just .143/.308/.286 over the past two weeks.
Jun 11 2023Kiermaier (wrist) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was diagnosed with a bruised left wrist after leaving Thursday's win over the Astros and will now miss a third consecutive game because of the injury. Daulton Varsho will line up in center field in Kiermaier's stead Sunday.
Jun 10 2023Kiermaier (wrist) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He suffered the wrist injury in Thursday's game, and while X-rays were negative, Kiermaier will miss his second straight game with the bruised wrist. Daulton Varsho starts in center field while Whit Merrifield starts in left and Santiago Espinal gets the nod at the keystone.
Jun 9 2023Kiermaier (wrist) is not in the lineup Friday versus the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier made an early exit from Thursday's series finale against the Astros after taking a pitch off his left wrist, but X-rays turned up negative for any fractures and he is considered day-to-day. Daulton Varsho will patrol center field for the Blue Jays on Friday with Whit Merrfiield covering left field and Cavan Biggio handling right field.
Jun 8 2023Kiermaier exited Thursday's game against the Astros with a wrist injury, but X-rays returned negative. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was hit in the wrist by a pitch in the second inning and stayed in the game until the fourth frame. It appears he avoided the worst-case outcome, and it's possible he avoids a stint on the injured list as a result.
Jun 6 2023Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and two runs scored in Monday's loss to the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The hits were his first in June, but the veteran center fielder has been surprisingly productive this season despite being a fixture at the bottom of the batting order for the Blue Jays. Over 27 games since the beginning of May, Kiermaier is slashing .326/.372/.558 with 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles, two triples and three homers), four steals, eight RBI and 15 runs.
Jun 4 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is 0-for-12 with five strikeouts in his past three games and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Queens. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field with Whit Merrifield moving to left and Cavan Biggio starting at second base.
May 31 2023Kiermaier (back) will start in center field and bat ninth Wednesday against the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier missed two games with back soreness but is feeling well enough to give it a go Wednesday. After filling in for Kiermaier in center in both of the past two games, Daulton Varsho will shift over to his normal spot in left Wednesday.
May 30 2023Kiermaier (back) isn't starting Tuesday against the Brewers, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was hopeful he could return Tuesday after sitting out Sunday's contest. Instead, his sore back will keep him out for a second consecutive start. Daulton Varsho will take Kiermaier's place in center field Tuesday, moving Whit Merrifield into left and Cavan Biggio in as Toronto's second baseman, batting ninth.
May 28 2023Kiermaier (back) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier left Saturday's 9-7 loss with discomfort in his lower back and will miss at least one game while he recovers from the issue. Daulton Varsho will fill in Sunday as the Blue Jays' center field, though Kiermaier acknowledged that he's feeling better and is hopeful to be available for Tuesday's series opener with the Brewers after receiving rest and treatment over the next 48 hours, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca.
May 27 2023Kiermaier is considered day-to-day with lower-back discomfort, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier left Saturday's game against the Twins in the third inning after hurting his back on a throw. He received treatment after the game and will receive another round Sunday. His day-to-day designation means he could theoretically return Sunday, but the Blue Jays have an off day Monday, so they could choose to give Kiermaier at least two days to rest and recover.
May 26 2023Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with one triple and a solo home run in Friday's 3-1 victory over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is red hot, as he now has hits in 15 out of 19 games played in the month of May. The outfielder hasn't hit many out of the ballpark, but his contact hitting has been a significant boost for Toronto this year. The former Ray is slashing .319/.366/.511 through 141 at-bats.
May 24 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With Tampa Bay bringing southpaw Shane McClanahan to the hill Wednesday, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will retreat to the bench after going 2-for-8 with a run scored and an RBI between the first two games of the series with his former team. Nathan Lukes will pick up a start in the outfield while Kiermaier sits.
May 19 2023Kiermaier (illness) is back in the Blue Jays' lineup Friday for their game versus the Orioles, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier missed a couple games with an illness but evidently is feeling better. He's in center field and batting ninth against Kyle Gibson.
May 18 2023Kiermaier (illness) remains out of the Blue Jays' lineup Thursday versus the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is one of a handful of Blue Jays players battling a bug that's been going around the clubhouse and will be held out of the lineup Thursday for a second straight game. Daulton Varsho will again man center field.
May 17 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees due to illness, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A bug is going around the Toronto clubhouse that has affected multiple players, Kiermaier included. Consider him day-to-day. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field and Whit Merrifield will play left while Kiermaier gets at least one day off.
May 14 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier gets a day of rest after going 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in the victory over Atlanta on Sunday. Daulton Varsho will play center field and hit fourth with Kiermaier on the bench.
May 8 2023Kiermaier went 2-for-5 with a double and a two-run homer in Sunday's 10-1 win over the Pirates. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier capped Toronto's scoring Sunday with a two-run shot off Chase De Jong in the ninth inning, his second homer of the year and first since April 11. The 33-year-old outfielder has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 7-for-19 over his last five games. He's now slashing .284/.340/.442 with nine extra-base hits, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored and two stolen bases through 104 plate appearances. While Kiermaier's .347 BABIP indicates some regression is likely, he should see a fairly regular role in Toronto, thanks to his excellent defense in center field.
May 5 2023Kiermaier is not in the Blue Jays' lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will take a seat with the Pirates throwing left-hander Rich Hill. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field, Whit Merrifield will play left and Santiago Espinal will get a start at second base.
May 3 2023Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran center fielder continues to stay healthy and relatively productive to begin his first season with the Blue Jays. Kiermaier has appeared in 25 of a possible 30 games so far, slashing .275/.326/.400 with one homer, two steals, eight RBI and 11 runs while almost exclusively hitting ninth in the order. His current .726 OPS would be his highest mark since 2017 if he can maintain it.
Apr 30 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is mired in a 3-for-20 slump over his past eight games and will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale versus Seattle with lefty Marco Gonzales on the mound. Daulton Varsho will shift to center field with Whit Merrifield moving to left, while Santiago Espinal receives a start at second base.
Apr 5 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Kiermaier started Tuesday against a left-handed pitcher but will take a seat Wednesday versus right-hander Zack Greinke. Daulton Varsho will slide over to center field, Whit Merrifield will play left and Cavan Biggio will start at second base.
Apr 2 2023Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the first two games of the series, but he will get a rest for the finale against the Cardinals on Sunday. Daulton Varsho moves to center in his place, with Whit Merrifield taking over in left and Santiago Espinal starting at second.
Feb 26 2023Kiermaier (hip) is starting in center field and batting sixth in Sunday's spring game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old is making his spring debut for the Blue Jays after he signed a one-year, $9 million contract in December. Kiermaier played in just 63 games last season and underwent hip surgery in August, but he's fully healthy for Grapefruit League action and is expected to operate as Toronto's everyday center fielder this year.
Dec 15 2022Kiermaier (hip) said in his introductory press conference with the Blue Jays on Thursday that the team indicated to him he will be the everyday starter in center field, Gregor Chisholm of the Toronto Star reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The left-handed hitting Kiermaier has a career .661 OPS against lefties as opposed to a .735 OPS versus righties. However, the Jays signed him for his elite defense, so it makes sense that they don't plan to platoon the 32-year-old. With Kiermaier handling center field, George Springer will slide over to right. Kiermaier also noted that he's about 90 percent recovered from left hip surgery and expects to rebound offensively in 2023.
Dec 10 2022Kiermaier (hip) signed with the Blue Jays on Saturday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Blue Jays had a hole in their outfield after shipping out Teoscar Hernandez in mid-November, and it looks like Kiermaier will be the one to fill it. His defensive prowess in center field remains his primary appeal, and while he may not be the same in that area in his age-33 season as he was at his peak, he should still be an asset. He's rarely been a significant contributor at the plate, but he's managed a wRC+ of at least 90 for three straight seasons, which is all the Jays will need from him if he continues to play strong defense. The move should allow Toronto to move George Springer to an outfield corner, which should help keep him healthy, though Kiermaier isn't all that durable himself. He's only once appeared in more than 130 games and played just 63 last season before being shut down for hip surgery.
Nov 10 2022Kiermaier (hip) had his $13 million team option for 2023 declined by the Rays on Thursday, making him a free agent, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The center fielder played in only 63 games last season before he underwent hip surgery in August. Kiermaier inked the six-year, $50 million extension with Tampa Bay ahead of the 2017 campaign, but he has a .232/.296/.382 slash line across the past five seasons. The 32-year-old's recovery timeline was expected to be about seven months, so he's not guaranteed to be fully healthy for the start of spring training in February.
Aug 9 2022Kiermaier revealed that the season-ending surgery he underwent Aug. 3 went well, and he expects to return pain-free for the start of the 2023 campaign, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: According to Topkin, Kiermaier is expected to need seven months to complete his rehab and recovery from surgery to address an impingement and a torn labrum in his left hip, so he should have few restrictions, if any, for the beginning of spring training in late February. Perhaps the bigger question than whether Kiermaier will be 100 percent for the start of the season is if he'll be taking part in workouts with the Rays or another organization. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Rays intend to decline the $13 million 2023 team option for Kiermaier's contract and instead buy out the veteran outfielder for $2.5 million. The move doesn't preclude the Rays from bringing Kiermaier back at a more affordable rate.
Jul 25 2022Kiermaier will undergo hip labrum surgery that will force him to miss the remainder of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was placed on the injured list July 10 and was transferred to the 60-day IL less than a week later. He wasn't eligible to return until at least mid-September but will be held out for the remainder of the year due to his procedure. The 32-year-old appeared in 63 games for the Rays in 2022 and slashed .228/.281/.369 with seven homers, 28 runs, 22 RBI and six stolen bases. He has a $13 million team option for the 2023 season, but it's possible that he'll become a free agent during the offseason after spending the last nine years in Tampa Bay.
Jul 16 2022Kiermaier (hip) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was placed on the injured list with a left hip injury Sunday and will be unavailable until at least mid-September after being transferred to the 60-day IL. The 31-year-old will visit with a hip specialist after the All-Star break and isn't yet sure whether he'll be able to return to game action prior to the end of the regular season.
Jul 11 2022Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Kiermaier (hip) will visit a specialist over the All-Star break and will be "down for some time," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Though he didn't say so explicitly, Cash's comments imply that Kiermaier won't be ready to return from the 10-day injured list coming out of the All-Star break when he's first eligible to do so. The 32-year-old is on the IL for the second time in less than a month due to the hip issue, so he'll receive another medical opinion in the days to come before a decision is made on how to treat the injury. Kiermaier's absence for the foreseeable future should help keep rookie Josh Lowe well insulated in as an everyday player in the Tampa Bay outfield.
Jul 10 2022Kiermaier (hip) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier missed time in late June with a left hip injury, and he's now headed back to the shelf after inflammation in the hip resurfaced Saturday. The 32-year-old won't be eligible to return until after the All-Star break July 22, though it's unclear if he's expected to be recovered by that point. Brett Phillips and Josh Lowe should be the primary replacements in center field for Tampa Bay.
Jul 9 2022Kiermaier will likely be placed on the injured list after pain in his left hip reemerged Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was forced to the injured list June 20 with a similar injury, and he'll be shelved again just three weeks later. His timeline for a return is unclear, though the recurring nature of the issue is concerning.
Jul 8 2022Kiermaier went 0-for-3 with a stolen base and a walk during Friday's extra-inning loss to the Reds. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier recorded extra-base hits in his last two games but wasn't able to log a hit Friday. However, he showcased his speed after drawing a walk and stole his sixth base of the season. He's recorded hits in five of his six games since returning to the injured list and has hit .217 with two doubles, five RBI, two runs and a stolen base during that time.
Jul 6 2022Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with with a double, a walk, four RBI and a run scored in an 8-4 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier came up to bat with the bases loaded in the top of the first and doubled off Nick Pivetta to clear the bases and give the Rays a 3-0 lead. He would later pick up his fourth RBI of the game when he grounded into a fielder's choice to cash in Wander Franco from third. It was the most RBI Kiermaier has tallied in a single game this season. The 32-year-old center fielder has a hit in every game he has played so far in July, but is still only slashing .231/.279/.374 with 21 RBI on the year.
Jul 4 2022Kiermaier isn't starting Monday's game against Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is getting a day off after he went 3-for-12 with a run, two walks and four strikeouts over his last three games. Brett Phillips is starting in center field and batting ninth.
Jul 2 2022Kiermaier isn't starting the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is retreating to the bench after he went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts in Saturday's matinee. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat ninth.
Jul 1 2022Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored Friday against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier returned from a hip injury after a minimum stint on the injured list to play center field and hit fifth. He struck out in his first at-bat but reached base in his next three plate appearances -- highlighted by an infield single in the fifth inning that led to his run scored. Kiermaier has maintained a .290 wOBA and 94 wRC+ across 193 plate appearances this season, though he has also chipped in 27 runs scored and five stolen bases.
Jun 28 2022Kiermaier (hip) went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while playing six innings in center field Tuesday in a rehab game for the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays placed Kiermaier on the 10-day injured list June 21 due to an inflamed left hip, but he appears to have responded well to the cortisone shot he received to address the swelling. His ability to start up a rehab assignment just one week after landing on the IL suggests that Kiermaier could be on track to rejoin the Rays when first eligible Friday. Once Kiermaier is back in the fold, Brett Phillips will likely move into a fourth-outfielder role for Tampa Bay.
Jun 21 2022Kiermaier (hip) received a cortisone shot in his left hip, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday and revealed that he'd actually been dealing with a hip issue for over a year. This isn't his first cortisone shot, either, as he also received one during spring training. He hopes to be back after the minimum 10 days, however.
Jun 20 2022Kiermaier (hip) is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list after exiting Monday night's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier won't be available to return to play until the last day of June, though it's still unclear if he'll be sidelined for more than the minimum. With Manuel Margot (undisclosed) also going down Monday night, the Rays will have plenty of opportunities in the outfield for players like Brett Phillips and Josh Lowe.
Jun 18 2022Kiermaier (Achilles) is starting Saturday against the Orioles, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier missed the last two games due to left Achilles inflammation but will start in center field and lead off Saturday. He went 4-for-12 with a homer, a double, two runs, two RBI and a stolen base over his last four games.
Jun 17 2022Kiermaier (Achilles) isn't starting Friday against the Orioles, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was removed from Wednesday's game against the Yankees due to left Achilles inflammation, and he'll remain out of the lineup for a second consecutive matchup. Randy Arozarena, Brett Phillips and Harold Ramirez are starting in the outfield from left to right.
Jun 16 2022Kiermaier (Achilles) will sit Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was replaced early in Wednesday's game with left Achilles inflammation. Exactly how much time he'll be forced to miss is not yet clear, but he'll sit for at least one game, with Brett Phillips taking over in center field.
Jun 15 2022Kiermaier was removed from Wednesday's game against the Yankees with left Achilles inflammation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier walked in his lone plate appearance before being replaced in the field during the third inning, and the severity of the injury remains unclear. The 32-year-old should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status.
Jun 12 2022Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an RBI single and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier recorded his third straight multi-hit game in this outing. He also notched a steal for the second time in four contests, and his homer was his first since May 24. The outfielder's .229/.260/.392 slash line for the season doesn't inspire much confidence, and he's added seven homers, 17 RBI, 25 runs scored and five stolen bases in 51 contests. He'll continue to patrol center field against right-handed pitchers and the occasional southpaw.
Jun 10 2022Kiermaier will sit Friday against the Twins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started against a lefty (Packy Naughton) on Wednesday, something he hadn't done in nearly a month. He won't make it two starts in a row against southpaws, however, as he'll hit the bench here against Devin Smeltzer. Brett Phillips gets the start in center field.
Jun 2 2022Kiermaier isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will take a seat for the second time in the last three games since southpaw Taylor Hearn is on the mound for Texas. Brett Phillips is starting in center field and batting ninth.
May 31 2022Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Martin Perez on the bump for Texas, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will head to the bench after he had started in each of the previous four games. Manuel Margot replaces Kiermaier in center field and atop the lineup.
May 26 2022Kiermaier will sit Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went hitless Wednesday against the Marlins, ending a streak of five consecutive multi-hit games. Manuel Margot will move to center field, with Vidal Brujan starting in right.
May 24 2022Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier tallied an inside-the-park home run in the first inning when he hit a line drive that got past a diving Jesus Sanchez. Though unconventional, the performance continued Kiermaier's recent power surge, as he has now collected four home runs with seven RBI and 10 runs scored in his last 10 games. Kiermaier has maintained a .255/.293/.464 line across 116 plate appearances on the campaign.
May 21 2022Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run in a 6-1 win against Baltimore on Saturday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's eighth-inning, 406-foot solo shot gave Tampa Bay a six-run lead and was his second long ball in the past three games. After hitting a paltry .174 across his first 31 games of the campaign, the veteran has recorded three-straight three-hit performances to lift his batting average to .240. Kiermaier batted out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season Saturday, and he could get more opportunities there if he continues to swing a hot stick.
May 18 2022Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez on the bump for Detroit, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will check out of the starting nine. The Rays will roll out an outfield of Randy Arozarena, Brett Phillips and Vidal Brujan from left to right.
May 17 2022Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs during Tuesday's 8-1 win over the Tigers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 32-year-old had only two hits over his past eight games, but he produced his first three-hit effort of the season Tuesday. Kiermaier has a .200/.250/.378 slash line with four home runs, 10 RBI, 13 runs and three stolen bases through 32 games.
May 15 2022Kiermaier (knee) went 1-for-1 with a stolen base Sunday against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was held out of the lineup Sunday after fouling a ball off his knee in the previous game. However, he entered the matchup in the eighth inning as a defensive replacement and subsequently stole his third base of the campaign. Apparently healthy, Kiermaier is likely to get regular playing time so long as Manuel Margot (hamstring) remains on the injured list.
May 14 2022Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was initially listed among the starters for Saturday's matchup, but the team issued a revised lineup with Brett Phillips starting in center field and batting ninth. Kiermaier isn't believed to be dealing with an injury, so he should be available off the bench.
May 12 2022Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 4-2 extra-inning win over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran center fielder took Shohei Ohtani deep in the second inning to get the Rays on the board, then crossed the plate with the winning run on a Vidal Brujan double in the top of the 10th. Kiermaier offers little fantasy utility outside of deep AL-only formats despite playing nearly every day, as he's slashing .179/.238/.348 with three homers, two steals, eight RBI and 10 runs through 27 games.
May 10 2022Kiermaier went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in Monday's 11-3 loss to the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The oft-injured defensive whiz appears to be feeling 100 percent right now, as both of his steals on the season have come in the last three games. Kiermaier is slashing only .183/.247/.324 through 25 contests with two homers, seven RBI and eight runs, but his glove should keep him in Tampa Bay's outfield rotation.
May 8 2022Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After three straight starts, Kiermaier will head to the bench and cede center-field duties to Brett Phillips in the series finale. Kiermaier is coming off a big showing in Saturday's 8-2 win in which he went 2-for-4 with a double and his first stolen base of the season.
May 4 2022Kiermaier isn't starting Wednesday against Oakland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went just 1-for-7 with a double, two runs and two strikeouts over the last two games. Brett Phillips will take over in center field and bat ninth.
May 1 2022Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays are opposing a right-handed pitcher (Josh Winder) in the series finale, but the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will nonetheless find himself out of the lineup in what could just be a maintenance day. Brett Phillips will pick up a start in center field in place of Kiermaier, who went 1-for-7 with a base hit between the first two games of the series.
Apr 24 2022Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's extra-inning win over Boston. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The AL East combatants battled to a scoreless tie after nine innings, pushing the game to extra frames. Boston scored a pair of runs in its half of the 10th but made a crucial error in the bottom of the inning to prolong the game. Kiermaier capitalized on the mistake, slugging a two-run shot to right field to give the Rays the win. It was the first homer of the season for the veteran outfielder, who has struggled to a .152/.243/.303 slash line thus far.
Apr 19 2022Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will head to the bench Tuesday with lefty Justin Steele pitching for Chicago. Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot and Josh Lowe will start from left to right in the outfield.
Apr 16 2022Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the White Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started in each of the least three games, but he went just 1-for-8 with two strikeouts. Brett Phillips will take his place in center field and bat seventh.
Apr 12 2022Kiermaier is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Athletics, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier sits for the second time in the Rays' first five games. Brett Phillips will take over in center field.
Apr 10 2022Kiermaier is not in Sunday's lineup against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is out of the lineup after starting the team's first two games, during which he went a combined 1-for-6 with a double and run scored. Manuel Margot rejoins the lineup after sitting Saturday, and he will play center field while batting ninth.
Mar 31 2022Kiermaier (groin) will start in center field and bat eighth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was scratched from the Rays' spring lineup last Friday due to a sore left groin, but after resuming workouts without any major discomfort in the last few days, he'll be making his return to the starting nine less than a week after the injury first surfaced. The 31-year-old is expected to open the campaign as the Rays' primary center fielder, though he'll likely sit at least occasionally against left-handed starting pitchers.
Mar 29 2022Kiermaier (groin) is scheduled to take some swings Tuesday and said he expects to be ready to go for Opening Day, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The perennially banged-up Kiermaier is already hurting during spring training, as he's battled both neck and upper-back stiffness and most recently left groin soreness. Though the injuries have set him back in getting in his usual slate of at-bats during the spring, the veteran outfielder doesn't expect to require a trip to the injured list to begin the season. Ideally, he would return to action before the Rays' Grapefruit League and exhibition schedule comes to an end to assuage any concerns about his availability for Opening Day.
Mar 26 2022Kiermaier (groin) isn't starting Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Boston, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was removed from Friday's lineup against Baltimore due to left groin soreness, and he'll remain out of the lineup a day later. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench Friday or whether he'll be able to return to action Sunday against Atlanta.
Mar 25 2022Kiermaier was scratched from the lineup for Friday's Grapefruit League game against Baltimore due to left groin soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: As long as the issue remains nothing worse than soreness, Kiermaier should still have time to get ready for Opening Day, though he's also battled a sore neck earlier in camp and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery over the offseason. It's possible the accumulation of minor problems sends him to the injured list. Josh Lowe will start in center field and would be a candidate to man the position on a regular basis if Kiermaier missing time, though Manuel Margot and Brett Phillips could also see their roles increase.
Mar 22 2022Kiermaier (knee/neck) will start in center field and bat sixth in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays have slow played Kiermaier's introduction to the spring lineup after he underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery in November. He was also bothered by a sore neck early in camp, but after a few encouraging workouts, he'll make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday. While Tampa Bay would surely like to offload Kiermaier and his expiring six-year, $53.5 million contract, he'll tentatively head into Opening Day as the Rays' primary center fielder. Though Kiermaier's offense has fallen off considerably since he posted a career-best .788 OPS in 2017 and injuries remain a perennial concern, his elite defense should be enough for him to stick in a large-side platoon role when healthy.
Mar 17 2022Kiermaier (neck/knee) took batting practice Thursday and is expected to make his debut in a spring game Tuesday, MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier underwent right knee arthroscopic surgery in November and has been bothered by a sore neck early in camp. Neither issue sounds like a concern for Opening Day, but watch his progress.
Nov 3 2021Kiermaier underwent right knee arthroscopic surgery Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's procedure addressed a small meniscus tear, but he's expected to resume full activities in 4-6 weeks. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising to see the 30-year-old back to full health in time for spring training in 2022.
Oct 2 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 2-for-2 with a triple, an RBI and a walk in Friday's win, and he'll head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Manuel Margot will start in center field and bat seventh.
Sep 30 2021Kiermaier will sit Thursday against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is ending the season on a strong note, posting a 1.010 OPS over his last 16 games. He'll get a rest Thursday, with Manuel Margot taking over in center field.
Sep 26 2021Kiermaier is on the bench for Sunday's game against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a double Saturday and is hitting .333 with three extra-base hits in his last 10 games. Brett Phillips starts in center field and bats ninth Sunday.
Sep 24 2021Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a triple, a double, three RBI and a walk in Friday's 8-0 win over Miami. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier knocked a two-run double in the fourth inning and added an RBI triple in the seventh. It was his first game with an RBI since Sep. 12 and his second three-hit outing in his last four appearances. The 31-year-old outfielder improved his slash line to .255/.321/.381 with 36 RBI and 28 extra-base hits.
Sep 21 2021Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 6-4 win over the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier notched three base hits and came around to score on a Yandy Diaz three-run homer in the fifth inning. He also notched his ninth steal of the year. The 31-year-old had a pretty awful first half of the season at the plate but has turned things around, as he's slashing .316/.385/.516 with two homers, 11 RBI, 24 runs scored, two steals and 12:23 BB:K over 36 games since Aug. 1.
Sep 20 2021Kiermaier (illness) will return to the lineup Monday against the Blue Jays, batting ninth and playing center field, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier spent Saturday on the COVID-19 injured list but returned to the roster Sunday, though he wasn't in the starting lineup. He'll be involved from the start this time around and will look to continue a strong stretch run which has seen him hit .291/.348/.506 over his last 30 games.
Sep 19 2021Kiermaier (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday but is not in the starting lineup, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier landed on the COVID IL on Saturday while experiencing symptoms similar to those associated with the virus, but he'll quickly rejoin the team since he never tested positive. Brett Phillips will receive another start in center field Sunday for the Rays.
Sep 18 2021Kiermaier was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier doesn't appear to have tested positive for the virus, but he's been placed on the injured list for precautionary reasons after experiencing symptoms that could be linked to COVID-19. Brett Phillips and Manuel Margot could see an uptick in playing time in center field until Kiermaier returns.
Sep 15 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat ninth.
Sep 14 2021Kiermaier will sit Tuesday against Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier owns a strong .299/.364/.517 slash line since the start of August. He'll sit for the second time in three games Tuesday, with Manuel Margot starting in center field.
Sep 12 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Sunday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier gets the day off after going 2-for-3 with a triple, a double and two runs scored Saturday. Brett Phillips returns from the injured list to start in center field and bat ninth Sunday.
Sep 10 2021Kiermaier (hamstring) went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Friday's 10-4 loss to Detroit. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The outfielder sat out Wednesday's game versus Boston with a hamstring injury, but it didn't see to bother him on his fifth-inning triple Friday. Kiermaier has a .246/.305/.362 slash line with four home runs, 31 RBI, 49 runs scored and eight stolen bases across 341 plate appearances. He should resume a strong-side platoon role in center field going forward, splitting time with Manuel Margot.
Sep 8 2021Rays manager Kevin Cash said Kiermaier is being withheld from the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox due to left hamstring discomfort, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's absence from the lineup appears to be a matter of precaution, with Cash noting that the 31-year-old will still be available off the bench. The Rays are hopeful that with a day out of the lineup followed by a team off day Thursday, Kiermaier will be ready to rejoin the starting nine for Friday's series opener in Detroit.
Sep 6 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Along with Kiermaier, fellow left-handed hitters Joey Wendle and Brandon Lowe will head to the bench with southpaw Chris Sale twirling for the Red Sox in the series opener. Manuel Margot will replace Kiermaier in center field.
Sep 2 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will be out of the lineup for a second straight game with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez starting for the Red Sox. Manuel Margot will start in center field and bat fifth.
Sep 1 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw Chris Sale on the mound for Boston, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will cede his spot in the outfield to the righty-hitting Manuel Margot. Kiermaier could give way to Margot again in the series finale Thursday, when lefty Eduardo Rodriguez is scheduled to take the hill for the Red Sox.
Aug 31 2021Kiermaier, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs in a win over the Red Sox on Monday, is hitting .318 (14-for-44) with four doubles, two home runs, six RBI, four walks, a stolen base and 13 runs over his last 13 games. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The sample represents one of the veteran outfielder's best stretches of offense in 2021 and has his slash line sitting at .246/.307/.358 across 316 plate appearances. Kiermaier has also reached safely in six straight games, which has pushed his still-pedestrian on-base percentage to one of its higher points of the season.
Aug 24 2021Kiermaier is not in the starting lineup Tuesday agains the Phillies, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He'll yield the center field duties to Manuel Margot for the second time in three games with lefty Ranger Suarez slated to take the ball for Philadelphia. Kiermaier is slashing .333/.404/.590 across 39 August at-bats, and he should continue to see the bulk of the starts in center field down the stretch.
Aug 21 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the White Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will head to the bench for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout Friday. Manuel Margot will start in center field and bat seventh.
Aug 19 2021Kiermaier will sit Thursday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has swung a hot bat over his last six games, hitting .381 with a pair of homers and a pair of doubles. Brett Phillips will get the start in center field in his absence.
Aug 17 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 9-2 win over the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays slugged five homers in three innings off Baltimore pitching starting in the fifth, with Kiermaier's blast kicking off the barrage. The veteran defensive ace has only gone yard four times this season, but two of those homers have come in his last three games, part of an August surge that has seen Kiermaier post a .370/.469/.704 slash line through 10 games.
Aug 15 2021Kiermaier is not in the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the past three games and will take a seat after going 5-for-11 with a homer, a double, three RBI and three runs. Manuel Margot will roam center field in his place Sunday.
Aug 13 2021Kiermaier went 2-for-5 with an inside-the-park home run and three RBI in Friday's 10-4 win over the Twins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiemaier flashed his top-notch speed with an inside-the-park solo homer in the sixth inning before knocking a two-run single in the seventh. The speedy outfielder is up to 18 extra-base hits and 27 RBI through 275 plate appearances this season. He's gone 5-for-8 over his last two games and has three multi-hit performances over his last five appearances.
Aug 12 2021Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs and a stolen base in Thursday's 8-1 win over the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances for the first time this season. He added his eighth steal in the third inning and scored. In addition, he scored off Mike Zunino's home run in the eighth inning. The 31-year-old is batting .550 over his last six games. On the season, he is slashing .242/.307/.336 with a pair of long balls, 24 RBI and 34 runs scored in 270 plate appearances.
Aug 11 2021Kiermaier (knee) isn't starting Wednesday's game against Boston, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game after he exited Saturday's win over Baltimore with right knee soreness. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat eighth.
Aug 10 2021Kiermaier (knee) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermiaer has been tending to a sore right knee since exiting Saturday's 12-3 win over the Orioles, but it's unclear if his second straight absence from the lineup is a result of the injury, or the fact that the Red Sox are bringing a lefty (Eduardo Rodriguez) to the hill. Manuel Margot will pick up the start in center field, and he or Brett Phillips will likely play the position against left-handed pitchers on most occasions for the rest of the season, regardless of Kiermaier's health.
Aug 8 2021Kiermaier (knee) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will remain on the bench for the series finale after exiting Saturday's contest with right knee soreness. The center fielder will have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing more time. Brett Phillips will join the lineup and bat eighth in his place Sunday.
Aug 7 2021Kiermaier's departure from Saturday's game was due to right knee soreness. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: An update on the center fielder and his status going forward should be released after the game, if not sooner. Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day.
Aug 3 2021Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The outfielder went 1-for-3 with a triple and a walk in Monday's loss to Seattle and is now hitting .195 in 14 games since the All-Star break. Manuel Margot will start in center field with lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the mound.
Jul 30 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Friday's game against the Red Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout Thursday, but he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Manuel Margot will start in center field and bat seventh.
Jul 28 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees, and he'll get a breather for the second time in the last three games. Manuel Margot will start in center field and lead off.
Jul 25 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started the past three games and will head to the bench after going 1-for-10 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored. Brett Phillips will cover center field and bat ninth Sunday.
Jul 21 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The lefty-hitting Kiermaier will bow out of the lineup for the series finale with a southpaw (Keegan Akin) on the bump. Brett Phillips replaces Kiermaier in center field.
Jul 19 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over Atlanta on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder was a thorn in the side of Atlanta pitching throughout the afternoon, and his seventh-inning double gave the Rays a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Kiermaier has now reached safely in seven straight starts dating back to July 3, a stretch during which he's generated a trio of multi-hit efforts and an impressive nine RBI across 27 plate appearances.
Jul 17 2021Kiermaier is on the bench for Saturday's game against Atlanta. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder has been more competent at the plate recently, hitting .290 with three walks and nine RBI in his last 10 games. Kiermaier's .242 average is on pace to be his highest since he hit .276 in 2017. Brett Phillips is playing center field and batting seventh Saturday.
Jul 11 2021Kiermaier is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With lefty Robbie Ray on the mound, Kiermaier will start the game on the bench. Brett Phillips will take over in center field and bat ninth in his place.
Jul 7 2021Kiermaier is not starting Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kierrmaier was Tampa Bay's leading offensive contributor during the Game 1 win, blasting a three-run homer and two-run double. He'll move to the bench against lefty Sam Hentges as Brett Phillips mans center field.
Jul 4 2021Kiermaier is not starting Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier, hitting .194 in his last 11 games, sits against lefty Robbie Ray in the series finale. Manuel Margot will start in center field Sunday.
Jun 26 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier collected three hits in Friday's series opener, but he'll get a breather Saturday. Brett Phillips will take over in center field and bat eighth.
Jun 23 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier often heads to the bench versus left-handed starting pitchers, but he'll get a rare day off against a right-hander (Garrett Richards) on Wednesday. Manuel Margot will pick up a start in center field in place of Kiermaier, who is slashing .250/.308/.354 across 17 games in June.
Jun 20 2021Kiermaier is not in the lineup Sunday at Seattle, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has a .676 OPS through 15 games in June and will head to the bench with lefty Marco Gonzales starting for the Mariners. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat ninth.
Jun 18 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Friday against the Mariners, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a day off after he went 4-for-15 with a double, three RBI, a run and four strikeouts across the last four games. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat ninth.
Jun 13 2021Kiermaier is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get his first rest since May 30 during the series finale. Brett Phillips will man center field and bat ninth Sunday.
Jun 12 2021Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base Saturday in a 5-4 win over Baltimore. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier notched his second three-hit game of the campaign and swiped his fifth bag. He drove in the Rays' third run in the first inning with an infield single. Kiermaier has collected five hits in seven at-bats over his past two contests, pushing his season batting average up 26 points to .231.
Jun 9 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will take a seat for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout Tuesday. Brett Phillips will start in center field and bat ninth.
Jun 6 2021Kiermaier is not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get the beginning portion of the series finale off as Brett Phillips mans center field Sunday.
Jun 2 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier hit his first home run of the season Tuesday, but he'll get a breather with southpaw Jordan Montgomery starting Wednesday. Brett Phillips will take over in center field and bat ninth.
Jun 1 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier took Domingo German yard in the fifth inning to record his first homer of the season. He's struggled for the majority of the campaign, striking out a 32.2 percent clip while posting only a 66 wRC+ across 121 plate appearances. Despite those poor marks, Kiermaier has remained the team's primary center fielder through 56 games this season.
May 29 2021Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Royals on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's multi-hit effort snapped a brief 1-for-15 skid that had encompassed his last six games. The veteran outfielder continues to struggle at the plate despite having generated a trio of two-hit efforts in his last six starts, as he's slashing just .216/.283/.278 across 106 plate appearances.
May 26 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Brett Phillips will take over in center field while the lefty-hitting Kiermaier heads to the bench with southpaw Mike Minor on the hill for Kansas City. Since making his return from the injured list last week, Kiermaier has gone 4-for-23 with a double and a walk over seven games for the Rays.
May 24 2021Kiermaier (eye) will start in center field and bat ninth Monday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was held out of the lineup in Sunday's 6-4 win after he scratched his left eye a day earlier, but the 31-year-old felt well enough to check into the game in the late innings as a defensive replacement. With a righty (Trent Thornton) on the hill for Toronto in Monday's series finale, Kiermaier will slot back into his normal starting role in center field while Brett Phillips retreats to the bench.
May 23 2021Kiermaier (eye) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: According to Topkin, Kiermaier scratched his left eye during Saturday's 3-1 win, but the Rays apparently aren't viewing it as anything more than a minor concern. With a lefty (Hyun Jin Ryu) on the bump for Toronto in the series finale, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier likely wouldn't have started even if he wasn't dealing with the eye issue. Kiermaier will still be available off the bench Sunday, per Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network.
May 22 2021Kiermaier was removed from Saturday's game against the Blue Jays with left eye irritation, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 31-year-old went 0-for-1 before being replaced by a pinch hitter during the fifth inning. Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.
May 21 2021Kiermaier is 4-for-9 with a double, a walk and three runs in his two games since returning from the injured list due to a wrist issue. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's current surge has quickly boosted his average 27 points to .244, with the pair of multi-hit efforts his first since May 2. The missed time due to injury aside, May has been rewarding for Kiermaier from a fantasy perspective, as he's hit .320 (8-for-25) with a trio of two-baggers, two RBI, five walks, two stolen bases and five runs across eight games.
May 19 2021The Rays reinstated Kiermaier (wrist) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is back in action for Tampa Bay following his second IL stint of the season. His sprained left wrist kept him sidelined for the minimum 10 days, so the Rays shouldn't have much hesitancy about reinserting him into the lineup as their primary center fielder. Kiermaier's return will likely result in fewer at-bats to go around for Brett Phillips and Manuel Margot.
May 18 2021Kiermaier (wrist) will participate in a full workout Tuesday and is very close to returning from the injured list, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The defensive stalwart should slot in as the everyday center fielder upon being activated from his second IL stint of 2021. Kiermaier has been a consistent, though unremarkable offensive player in recent years, as he's hitting .217 this season, matching his average from both 2020 and 2018.
May 11 2021Kiermaier isn't expected to miss much more than the minimum 10 days while on the injured list due to his sprained left wrist, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is already on the injured list for the second time this season. He missed just 11 days with a strained left quadriceps in April and appears set for a similar absence this time around. Brett Phillips has made both the starts in center since he hit the injured list.
May 9 2021The Rays placed Kiermaier (wrist) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will move back to the injured list for the second time this season after a left quadriceps strain previously kept him on the shelf for just under two weeks in April. The outfielder is dealing with a left wrist sprain this time around, and though X-rays have cleared him of any structural damage, he could need more than the minimum 10 days to make a full recovery. While Kiermaier is on the shelf, Brett Phillips and Manuel Margot should pick up most of the starts in center field.
May 8 2021Kiermaier underwent X-rays on his left wrist Saturday that came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was diagnosed with a left wrist sprain after he was hurt while attempting to steal base in the second inning of Saturday's game. If the 31-year-old is forced to miss any additional time, Brett Phillips could see increased playing time in the outfield.
May 6 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Thursday's game against the Angels, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier had gone 4-for-13 with two doubles, two runs, two RBI, three walks and two stolen bases in the last four games. Brett Phillips will take over in center field and bat ninth.
May 5 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, two RBI, two stolen bases and a run in Tuesday's victory over the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder helped pad Tampa Bay's lead with a two-run double in the sixth inning for his fourth and fifth RBI of the season. He was also a nuisance on the basepaths, swiping a bag following a walk in both the second and fourth innings. Kiermaier recently suffered through a 1-for-16 stretch but has turned things around with four hits and three walks over his past 12 plate appearances.
May 2 2021Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Astros. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermair doubled in the sixth inning and came around to score the tying run. Sunday's performance was his third multi-hit game of the year and first since April 25. He's slashing .246/.295/.316 through 61 plate appearances.
May 1 2021Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the Astros, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a breather after he went 0-for-10 with two walks and six strikeouts across the last three games. Manuel Margot will shift to center field and bat second.
Apr 28 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a triple and a run in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's first three-bagger of the season ultimately resulted in him scoring the first run of the game in the first inning, as he crossed the plate later in the frame when Randy Arozarena reached on a fielding error. Kiermaier has reached safely in eight of the last nine games in which he's logged at least one plate appearance, but he's still sporting just a .273 on-base percentage and remains in search of his first home run.
Apr 26 2021Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Athletics, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After having started each of the Rays' last seven games and with a lefty (Sean Manaea) on the mound for the opposition, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will get a breather in the series opener. Since being activated from the injured list April 17, Kiermaier has gone 9-for-26 with five runs, three RBI and a stolen base.
Apr 22 2021Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the Royals. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's lone hit of the night was an eighth-inning single. He ended up taking second for his first stolen base of the year and eventually came around to score on a RBI double by Randy Arozarena. Kiermaier started the year with one hit in his first 11 at-bats but has recently found life at the plate with five hits, four runs scored and two RBI in his last four games.
Apr 20 2021Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles in a win over the Royals on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: A third run also came home during a Kiermaier's at-bat even though he didn't receive credit for an RBI, as his seventh-inning fielder's choice helped Joey Wendle cross the plate. The night marked Kiermaier's first multi-hit effort of the campaign, as well as his first two RBI.
Apr 19 2021Kiermaier, activated from the injured list Saturday, went 1-for-3 with a run in a win over the Yankees on Sunday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier had made an appearance as a defensive replacement in Saturday's win before entering the starting nine for the first time since April 5 on Sunday. The Platinum Glove outfielder's single was his first hit since Opening Day against the Marlins.
Apr 17 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier took part in batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Friday, and his evaluation afterward apparently went well since he'll return from the injured list Saturday. Kiermaier isn't starting Saturday's game against the Yankees, but he should be available off the bench if needed.
Apr 15 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) will travel with the Rays and is expected to be activated at some point during the team's upcoming road trip, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left quadriceps strain April 5, and he was initially expected to miss several weeks. However, his quad has been responding well to his rehab program so far, and the 30-year-old is expected to return to the game action in the coming days. Although the Rays haven't yet announced exactly which day Kiermaier will return, he should take over as the team's starting center fielder once he's activated.
Apr 14 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) is expected to take live at-bats Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's strained left quad has responded well to running in recent days, so he'll advance to the next phase of his rehab program by facing live pitching. The Rays have indicated that Kiermaier will likely remain on the injured list beyond the 10-day minimum, but based on where he currently stands in his recovery, he might be ready to return by the end of April.
Apr 13 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) ran again Tuesday, and the team will determine the next steps in his recovery Wednesday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: If he feels good Wednesday, the Rays will discuss simulated game action, alternate site at-bats and other aspects of his recovery. For now, Manuel Margot and Brett Phillips are getting starts in center field.
Apr 6 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) will miss a few weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was already on the 10-day injured list, but now we know the quad strain will cost him more than the minimum stay. Kiermaier told Topkin that he was "really frustrated." In the meantime, Manuel Margot should play almost every day in center field.
Apr 5 2021Kiermaier left Monday's game against the Red Sox with left quad tightness, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier appeared to suffer the injury while running to first base, though the extent of the issue is not yet known. He'll be considered day-to-day until more information on the outfielder's status becomes known.
Apr 2 2021Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier started in center field Opening Day and went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, but he'll head to the bench Friday with righty Pablo Lopez on the mound for Miami. Manuel Margot is starting in center and batting seventh for the Rays.
Mar 29 2021Kiermaier has hit safely in five consecutive spring games through Monday, raising his Grapefruit League average to .435 (10-for-23). ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Two of Kiermaier's four extra-base hits this spring came in Sunday's win over Atlanta, when he laced a double and a solo home run. The 30-year-old has made good use of his 24 official plate appearances in Grapefruit League play, a modest number that's the byproduct of Kiermaier having missed time with hip and quadriceps issues during the exhibition slate while also temporarily leaving the team for the birth of his second child.
Mar 20 2021Kiermaier (quadriceps) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in a Grapefruit League loss to the Red Sox on Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The veteran outfielder returned after missing Wednesday's game while managing a minor quadriceps issue. Adam Berry of MLB.com reports Kiermaier, who already also missed time earlier this spring with hip tightness, is scheduled to miss a few days in the coming week due to the birth of his second child. However, Kiermaier got plenty of work in during back-field "B" games earlier in March and remains confident about his regular-season readiness.
Mar 19 2021Kiermaier (quad) is in the lineup for Friday's spring game against the Red Sox, according to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was expected to return to action Friday following a team off day, and he will do just that. He will man center field Friday and hit fifth in the Rays' batting order.
Mar 17 2021Kiermaier will be held out of Wednesday's spring game due to a tight quad, according to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is no stranger to injuries, but his latest one does not appear to be of much concern, as he is expected to return to the lineup after Thursday's team off day.
Mar 11 2021Kiermaier is 2-for-4 with an RBI over his first two Grapefruit League games. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's Grapefruit League debut was delayed until Tuesday due to some hip tightness, but the veteran outfielder has already started to make up for lost time. Kiermaier got things started with a 1-for-2, one-RBI effort versus the Red Sox in his first game, following it up with an identical batting line sans RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Twins.
Mar 9 2021Kiermaier (hip) will make his spring debut in Tuesday's exhibition game against the Red Sox, according to Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's hip injury has prevented him from seeing any action to this point, but he'll debut Tuesday as expected. The veteran will man center field and hit seventh in his first appearance this spring.
Mar 4 2021Kiermaier (hip) is on track to make his spring debut next Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has gotten ample time to recover from his hip injury, and he will get a few more days to get his feet under him before appearing in a game. The veteran has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, but he's still got plenty of time to get back to 100 percent before Opening Day.
Mar 3 2021Kiermaier (hips) faced live pitching for the second consecutive day Tuesday in pregame batting practice, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier continues to work through the hip tightness that has befallen him early in spring training, with Tuesday marking his second straight day of batting practice. That would seem to indicate the veteran outfielder is getting close to his Grapefruit League debut, but the 30-year-old did not make an appearance during Wednesday's win over the Pirates.
Mar 1 2021Kiermaier (hip) took batting practice on the field Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays are easing Kiermaier back while he battles a tight hip, but he doesn't look to be at risk of an extended absence. He's slated to face live pitching Tuesday, and he should also increase his involvement in defensive drills.
Feb 28 2021Kiermaier (hips) shagged flyballs in the outfield and ran the bases prior to Sunday's Grapefruit League opener, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier's hip tightness has limited him during the early days of spring training, but Sunday's activity level seems to be a cautiously optimistic sign he's getting closer to game action. Kiermaier's next opportunity to make his Grapefruit League debut comes Monday against the Twins, though the Rays could opt to take extra precautions with the veteran given his value to the team's outfield defense in particular.
Feb 26 2021Manager Kevin Cash said Kiermaier will be limited during the first week of spring training games due to tightness in his hip, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old indicated only a couple days ago he was entering camp in good health, so it's a new injury for the veteran outfielder. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, but Kiermaier will take it slow early in camp to help avoid any complications.
Feb 23 2021Kiermaier, who conceded Tuesday he was worried about being traded this offseason, is healthy after dealing with a hand injury last postseason and relieved to be back with the Rays, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is due to make $11.5 million in 2021 and plays on a team with plenty of outfield depth and a front office always willing to make a trade, so his fears heading into the offseason were reasonable. However, Kiermaier was assured by general manager Erik Neander he'd return for 2021 to help the Rays defend their AL crown, a pledge that began to be fulfilled with the start of workouts for the team's position players Tuesday. The veteran outfielder said he rested longer than usual this past offseason after playing deep into October, and he noted the alterations to his stance and overall mechanics at the plate that his left hand injury forced him to implement during the World Series led to offensive progress that he'll look to carry over into the new season.
Oct 20 2020Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a pair of runs batted in Tuesday in a loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier hit a solo homer in the fifth inning off Clayton Kershaw, and with that, the longest-tenured Rays player hit his first home run off a lefty all season. The solo shot was the only damage that the Rays were able to inflict on Clayton Kershaw, who otherwise dominated their offense. The veteran managed to knock in teammate Joey Wendle in the seventh inning and was the only spark plug in a Rays offense that struggled in the opener.
Oct 19 2020Kiermaier stated Monday that his wrist is feeling better and that he's "good to go" for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier dealt with a wrist injury that kept him out of three games during the ALCS, but he returned to the starting lineup for Game 7 and is feeling healthy heading into Tuesday's contest following two days off. Kiermaier is 7-for-36 with five extra-base hits and four RBI so far this postseason (12 games).
Oct 17 2020Kiermaier (hand) will bat ninth as the center fielder in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Astros on Saturday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier sat for three straight games after getting hit in the hand by a pitch in Game 3. He's ready to go now for what could potentially be the Rays' final game of the season.
Oct 16 2020Kiermaier (hand) is out of the lineup for Game 6 of the ALCS against the Astros on Friday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old finds himself on the bench for the third straight contest after suffering the hand bruise on a hit by pitch during Game 3. Kiermaier appeared off the bench as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in Game 5 but has yet to register a plate appearance since the injury.
Oct 15 2020Kiermaier (hand) remains on the bench for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Astros on Thursday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier exited Game 3 on Tuesday after a pitch struck him on the hand. X-rays revealed nothing worse than a bruise, but he did not play any part in Wednesday's contest. He was reportedly available off the bench, however, so he'll likely be available again if needed Thursday.
Oct 14 2020Kiermaier (hand) won't start Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Astros but could be available off the bench, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The X-rays on Kiermaier's hand came back negative after he was hit by a pitch Tuesday, but he'll be held out Wednesday as the Rays carry a 3-0 lead in the series. Manuel Margot will take over in center field Wednesday, leading off.
Oct 13 2020Kiermaier was diagnosed with a hand contusion after X-rays came back negative Tuesday, Lauren Shehadi reported on the TBS telecast. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was hit by a 99-mph fastball during the sixth inning and appeared to be in significant pain before being removed from Game 3, but he was able to avoid a fracture. The 30-year-old shouldn't face a long-term absence and is considered day-to-day, leaving his availability for Wednesday's Game 4 in question.
Oct 7 2020Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBI during Wednesday's Game 3 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old gave Tampa Bay a comfortable lead during the fourth inning as he crushed a first-pitch curveball from Masahiro Tanaka 373 feet to right field. Kiermaier entered the contest 2-for-15 in the playoffs this year, but he had a pair of extra-base hits Thursday to help put the Rays ahead 2-1 in the five-game series.
Sep 27 2020Kiermaier is not in the lineup Sunday against the Phillies, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 1-for-7 with a run and an RBI over the first two games of the series and will head to the bench Sunday. Brett Phillips receives the start in center field for the Rays in the season finale.
Sep 23 2020Kiermaier is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has generally been in a platoon role this season, though it's not completely unprecedented to see him out of the lineup against right-handed Michael Wacha, since the outfielder has sat on three previous occasions against righties this year. Manuel Margot will serve as the center fielder Wednesday.
Sep 20 2020Kiermaier is not in the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier went 0-for-4 during Saturday's contest and will head to the bench Sunday against left-hander John Means. Manuel Margot shifts to center field while Hunter Renfroe starts in right.
Sep 18 2020Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was on the bench for Game 2 of Thursay's doubleheader and will remain out of the lineup Friday. Manuel Margot receives the start in center field for the Rays.
Sep 17 2020Kiermaier isn't starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier picked up a double in Game 1, but he'll get the rest of the night off following a 3-1 victory. Manuel Margot shifts over to center field in Kiermaier's place.
Sep 16 2020Kiermaier (general soreness) returned to action Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a run scored, two RBI, one walk and one steal. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He is back in the lineup Wednesday, hitting eighth, so it looks like a few days off was all Kiermaier needed to get right. The center fielder is hitting .239 with three home runs and seven steals in 113 at-bats this season.
Sep 12 2020Kiermaier is dealing with general body soreness and is expected to sit Sunday in addition to Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: While manager Kevin Cash didn't point to any specific area of concern for the center fielder, Kiermaier himself noted that his left knee was sore after he made a sliding catch Friday. Given Cash's comments, however, that may not be the only issue for him, though he doesn't appear to be significantly hurt. Manuel Margot will start in his absence Saturday.
Sep 10 2020Kiermaier is not in Thursday's lineup against the Red Sox. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Many of the Rays' left-handed hitters, including Kiermaier, will head to the bench with lefty Mike Kickham on the hill for Boston. Manuel Margot will start in center field and lead off.
Sep 9 2020Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Nationals on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier swiped his sixth bag of the season after his single, marking his first theft since Aug. 23. The defensive-minded outfielder is looking for a strong finish to the shortened campaign at the plate after hitting a respectable .266 in August, and he's now carrying a .250 average (4-for-16) over his first seven games in September.
Sep 8 2020Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a double in a loss to the Nationals on Monday, his first multi-hit effort since Aug. 18. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier is once again sporting a pedestrian average this season -- .238 -- but a career-high 13.6 percent walk rate has helped lead to a career-best .347 on-base percentage across 118 plate appearances. The Platinum Glove outfielder has now reached safely in six of his last seven starts.
Sep 2 2020Kiermaier isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get a day off after blasting home runs in each of the past three games. Manuel Margot will start in center field.
Aug 31 2020Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with two walks and a solo home run in Monday's 5-3 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He took Gerrit Cole deep in the second inning, Kiermaier's second homer in as many games. Those are his only two long balls so far in 2020 though, and the brittle center fielder is slashing .236/.346/.382 through 31 games -- putting him on pace for a third straight campaign with an SLG under .400.
Aug 29 2020Kiermaier (back) is in the Rays' lineup against the Marlins on Saturday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was removed Wednesday against the Orioles due to back spasms but seems to have put the injury behind him as he will start in center field and bat eighth Saturday.
Aug 28 2020Kiermaier (back) is not in Friday's lineup against the Marlins. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was pulled from Wednesday's game with back spasms and the issue is still bothering him. Manuel Margot will start in center field and bat seventh.
Aug 27 2020Kiermaier (back) isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was removed from Wednesday's game with back spasms, and he'll be absent from the starting lineup Thursday. Manuel Margot will take over in center field in his absence.
Aug 26 2020Kiermaier was removed from Wednesday's game against the Orioles with back spasms, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The 30-year-old was removed from Wednesday's contest and after appearing to aggravate the foot injury he suffered earlier this week, but he was actually dealing with back spasms. Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day while he recovers from the injury.
Aug 25 2020Kiermaier (foot) is still sore Tuesday but will be available off the bench against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier left Monday's game after being hit by a pitch on the right foot and is still dealing with some swelling. While he isn't starting Tuesday against lefty Tommy Milone, his availability off the bench suggests that he could return to the lineup sooner rather than later. Manuel Margot is starting in center field Tuesday.
Aug 24 2020Kiermaier underwent X-rays on his foot that came back negative, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier exited Monday's loss to the Blue Jays in the top of the eighth inning, but he appears to have avoided a major injury. Manager Kevin Cash said after the game that he'll likely be off Tuesday as he recovers.
Aug 22 2020Kiermaier isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will get another day off Saturday with left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu taking the mound for Toronto. Manuel Margot will take over in center field, batting seventh.
Aug 20 2020Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Along with Kiermaier, lefty hitters Brandon Lowe, Ji-Man Choi and Yoshi Tsutsugo will check out of the lineup with southpaw James Paxton on the bump for New York. Manuel Margot will fill in for Kiermaier in center field and will bat seventh.
Aug 19 2020Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and a run in a win over the Yankees on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier made an impact both times he hit safely, and he crossed the plate with the first run of the night for either club on Michael Perez's third-inning single. The Platinum Glove outfielder now has back-to-back two-hit efforts -- and four in the last six games overall -- pushing his season line to an improving .250/.342/.359 across 73 plate appearances.
Aug 13 2020Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Rays manager Kevin Cash will give the lefty-hitting Kiermaier the day off in the series finale with southpaw Kyle Hart on the bump for Boston. Manuel Margot replaces Kiermaier in center field, batting seventh.
Aug 11 2020Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, a two-run double, two stolen bases and a run in a win over the Red Sox on Monday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The fleet-footed outfielder made his presence felt throughout the night, and his seventh-inning two-bagger with Manuel Margot and Yoshi Tsutsugo aboard snapped a 5-5 tie and gave the Rays a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The stellar night represented Kiermaier's first multi-hit effort of the season and pushed his average back to .200, although he's still in search of his first home run of the campaign through 52 plate appearances.
Aug 9 2020Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: With southpaw James Paxton on the bump for New York, the lefty-hitting Kiermaier will take a seat for the series finale, paving the way for Manuel Margot to pick up a start in center field. Kiermaier had started the Rays' last six games, going 2-for-14 with five walks over that stretch.
Aug 1 2020Kiermaier won't start Saturday against southpaw Wade LeBlanc and the Orioles. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has now sat for two of the last three games, both against lefties. Manuel Margot again gets the nod in center in his absence.
Jul 30 2020Kiermaier is not in the lineup Thursday against the Braves, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier will sit for the first time this season as Manuel Margot picks up a start in center field in his stead. Through six games, Kiermaier is 4-for-21 with four RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.
Jul 29 2020Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Braves on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The defensive-minded outfielder may be starting to heat up at the plate after a slow start, as he's now hit safely in three straight games following an 0-for-7 tally over the Rays' first two contests of the season. Kiermaier has always been a speed threat when getting on base, but he's typically been unable to establish a consistent presence in that regard; the Platinum Glove outfielder came into 2020 with sub-.300 OBPs in back-to-back seasons after topping out in that category with a .338 figure back in 2017.
Jul 26 2020Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a triple and two RBI on Sunday against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was held quiet until the 10th inning, when he drove a two-RBI triple down the right-field line to give the Rays a walk-off victory. While he was able to be the hero Sunday, Kiermaier has gotten off to a slow start to the campaign, reaching base only once in 12 plate appearances. He'll look to pick it up as the Rays face Atlanta in their next series.
May 27 2020Kiermaier was a first-time attendee at the Rays' informal Tropicana Field workouts Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "It felt great to see teammates, trainers, coaches and [manager Kevin] Cash," Kiermaier said via text. "Was very happy to drive to the Trop once again, to have somewhat a regular feel from years past even though I knew it was going to be in and out in an hour time slot." ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier did not attend the first workout the Rays held Monday, but he did have a chance to engage in activities such as light weightlifting, running and playing catch Wednesday. Along with the rest of his teammates, the outfielder had his temperature checked upon entry, wore a mask when appropriate and adhered to social distancing guidelines. Topkin reports that by next week, players such as Kiermaier may enjoy greater access in the form of batting cage sessions and additional workout equipment.
May 21 2020Kiermaier is potentially more expendable than in past years now that the Rays have acquired Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Tolentino runs through five Rays that, for a variety of reasons, particularly have something to prove in a potential 2020 season. With Kiermaier, it's both his upcoming salaries and the team's expanded outfield options that qualify him for the list. The 30-year-old Gold Glove outfielder is slated for salaries of $11.6 million and $12.6 million in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively, and six big-league seasons in, he's still trying to be as consistent with the bat as with his stellar glove. Tolentino notes Margot is also an impressive defensive asset, while Arozarena has excellent speed and was outstanding offensively in three of his last four minor-league seasons within the Cardinals organization. The combination of factors do lend credence to the notion that the team has options if it were to receive an attractive offer for Kiermaier, but working in his favor for the moment is that neither of the aforementioned potential replacements have yet had the opportunity to prove themselves in Tampa outside of a small Grapefruit League sample this year.
Apr 18 2020Kiermaier has remained in the Port Charlotte area during the current suspension of spring training and is using a variety of methods to remain in shape, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Platinum Glove outfielder has been using rubber resistance bands to perform assorted stretching exercises and for creative movements such as baseball bat biceps curls. Kiermaier is also working on his legs by jumping on concrete blocks, so he's essentially trying to stick to a comprehensive, full-body workout without the benefit of a gym/training facility. Like the rest of his teammates, the 29-year-old is hoping to soon find himself in a ramp-up period to the delayed regular season.
Mar 19 2020Kiermaier was hitting just .125 (3-for-24) with two doubles, three RBi, two walks and four runs across 10 Grapefruit League games before spring training was suspended. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Platinum Glove outfielder entered camp looking forward to implementing changes to his stance and swing he'd made in the offseason, but as his line indicates, those have yet to pay dividends. Even with the unsightly spring numbers, Kiermaier's starting center field job is far from endangered thanks to his elite defense. Nevertheless, the Rays would certainly welcome improvement on last season's .228/.278/.398 line (480 plate appearances).
Feb 17 2020Kiermaier, who made some changes to his stance and swing this offseason, has been consistently driving the ball to the opposite field in his first few batting practice sessions, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The multi-time Gold Glover made a point of addressing his offense this offseason in an effort to significantly outperform his career .249 average in 2020. Toribio reported last week the 29-year-old worked diligently with a coach from another major-league team on both body positioning and control in the batter's box this winter, with the express purpose of learning to use all fields consistently. The new approach has apparently paid early dividends, although spring training, and ultimately, the regular season, will serve as a more accurate barometer.
Sep 28 2019Kiermaier is not in Saturday's lineup against the Blue Jays. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He is hitting .137 with one home run and zero steals in 18 games this month. Guillermo Heredia is starting in center field and batting ninth.
Sep 25 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in an extra-innings win over the Yankees on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier erased a 1-0 deficit with a 413-foot shot to right in the fifth, his first round tripper since Aug. 21. The struggling outfielder has been mired in a slump since mid-August, which has led to a 24-point drop in his season average to .227. Notably, Tuesday's homer still only served to bring his September batting average to .111.
Sep 18 2019Kiermaier is not starting Wednesday against the Dodgers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: The Rays' lineup will be a man short with the lack of a designated hitter in the National League park. Kiermaier will be the one to lose his place on this occasion, with Avisail Garcia starting in center field.
Sep 16 2019Kiermaier went 0-for-8 with one run in his first two games back in the starting lineup after a four-game absence due to neck issues. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier came up empty at the plate over both weekend losses to the Angels, as well as in a pinch-hit capacity on Friday night in the series opener. The Platinum Glove outfielder has at least been able to play in back-to-back games, certainly an encouraging development as the Rays continue to fight for a postseason berth. However, the 29-year-old is in dire need of some offensive success, considering he's slashing an unsightly .196/.245/.341 since the All-Star break.
Sep 14 2019Kiermaier (neck) is starting in center field and hitting eighth Saturday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Neck discomfort has limited Kiermaier to just 17 at-bats this month. He has just three hits with zero home runs and zero steals over that stretch.
Sep 13 2019Kiermaier (neck) remains on the bench Friday against the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Neck spasms will keep the center fielder out of the lineup for the fourth straight contest. He was reportedly available off the bench Thursday but did not make an appearance. Guillermo Heredia starts in center field Friday.
Sep 12 2019Kiermaier (neck) is available off the bench Thursday against the Rangers, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier has missed the past two games with neck spasms but is feeling better after visiting with a chiropractor Wednesday. The outfielder is hoping to feel around 80 percent healthy Friday, suggesting a return to the starting lineup isn't far off. Avisail Garcia is starting in center field and hitting leadoff Thursday.
Sep 10 2019Kiermaier (neck) isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Rangers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Kiermaier was reportedly on track to return to the starting nine Tuesday, and although his MRI came back clean, mobility remains an issue, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. As a result, Guillermo Heredia is set to man center field and bat eighth.
Sep 8 2019Kiermaier (neck) expects to be in the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: He was removed from Sunday's game with neck spasms. Kiermaier said his neck tightened up before the game and felt it get tight again after making a sliding grab in the fifth inning. That said, he expects to be fine during Monday's off day and does not expect to miss time with the injury.
Sep 2 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Sep 1 2019Kiermaier (ribs) went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his return against the Indians on Saturday.
Aug 31 2019Kiermaier (ribs) is starting in center field and hitting seventh Saturday against the Indians, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Aug 30 2019Kiermaier (ribs) is available off the bench Friday and expects to return to the lineup Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aug 29 2019Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that the team has no plans to place Kiermaier (ribs) on the 10-day injured list, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aug 28 2019Kiermaier (ribs) remains on the bench Wednesday against Houston, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.
Aug 27 2019Kiermaier (ribs) is not starting Tuesday against the Astros, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Aug 25 2019Kiermaier was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles due to a left rib cage contusion, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aug 21 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and four RBI in a 7-6 victory against the Mariners on Wednesday.
Aug 18 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.
Aug 14 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.
Aug 13 2019Kiermaier isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.
Aug 11 2019Kiermaier is not in Sunday's lineup against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Aug 10 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Mariners.
Aug 9 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a walk in Friday's 5-3 win over the Mariners.
Aug 7 2019Kiermaier, who went 0-for-14 over his first three games of August, is a combined 5-for-9 with two doubles and two runs over his last two contests.
Aug 4 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Jul 31 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Red Sox.
Jul 29 2019Kiermaier (thumb) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Jul 28 2019Kiemaier (thumb) went 0-for-3 with a walk while playing all nine innings in center field during High-A Charlotte's loss to Clearwater on Sunday.
Jul 27 2019Kiermaier (thumb) went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI in High-A Charlotte's win over Clearwater on Saturday.
Jul 27 2019Kiermaier (thumb) will DH Saturday and play nine innings in center field Sunday for High-A Charlotte, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 27 2019Kiermaier (thumb) went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI in High-A Charlotte's win over Clearwater on Saturday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 26 2019Manager Kevin Cash said Kiermaier (thumb) should \"be really close\" to being ready to return from the injured list when first eligible July 31, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 25 2019Kiermaier (thumb) is expected to need a short rehab assignment before eventual activation, the Associated Press<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 21 2019Kiermaier was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left thumb sprain, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 21 2019Kiermaier, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a sprained left thumb, doesn't expect to miss more than a couple of weeks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2019Kiermaier was diagnosed with a sprain in his left thumb after exiting Saturday's contest, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2019Kiermaier exited Saturday's contest in the eighth inning after injuring his thumb, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2019Kiermaier has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left thumb after exiting Saturday's contest, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 20 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the White Sox, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 13 2019Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 13 2019Kiermaier went 3-for-6 with a two doubles, two RBI, and three runs in a win over the Orioles on Friday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 13 2019Kiermaier went 3-for-6 with a two-run ground-rule double, another two-bagger and three runs in a win over the Orioles on Friday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 8 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with two stolen bases in a win over the Yankees on Sunday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 5 2019Kiermaier (wrist) is starting in center field<\/a> and batting third Friday versus the Yankees.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 4 2019Kiermaier (wrist) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 3 2019Kiermaier was scratched from the lineup with a sore left wrist for Wednesday's game against Baltimore, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 2 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in a win over the Orioles on Monday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 30 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Rangers.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 29 2019Kiermaier (calf) is starting in center field<\/a> and hitting second Saturday against the Rangers.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 28 2019Kiermaier (calf) hopes to return to the lineup Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a>reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 28 2019Kiermaier (calf) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 27 2019Kiermaier said he felt discomfort in his right calf prior to Thursday's contest against the Twins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 27 2019Kiermaier said he felt discomfort in his right calf prior to Thursday's contest against the Twins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 27 2019Kiermaier exited Thursday's game against the Twins due to right lower-leg tightness, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 26 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 23 2019Kiermaier will sit against lefty Brett Anderson and the Athletics on Sunday, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 19 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 17 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with an RBI triple in a win over the Angels on Sunday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 15 2019Kiermaier entered Friday's win over the Angels as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning and went 1-for-2 with an RBI single, a stolen base and two runs.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 14 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 12 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup<\/a> for Wednesday's game against the Athletics.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 11 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a win over the Athletics on Monday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 9 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 8 2019Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's 5-1 win over the Red Sox.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jun 7 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a double and a run in a win over the Tigers on Thursday. He was also caught stealing on his only attempt.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 31 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run Friday against the Twins.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 30 2019Kiermaier is not in the lineup Thursday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 30 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a double, three walks and a stolen base in an extra-innings win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 30 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a double, three walks and a stolen base in a win over the Blue Jays on Wednesday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 28 2019Kiermaier is not in the lineup<\/a> Tuesday against lefty Clayton Richard and the Blue Jays.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 27 2019Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a double, two stolen bases and two runs in a win over the Indians on Sunday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 23 2019Kiermaier finished 2-for-4 with a three-run inside-the-park homer in Thursday's victory over the Indians.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 22 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 21 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 20 2019Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Yankees on Sunday.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 18 2019Kiermaier, who entered Friday's loss to the Yankees as a pinch hitter and went 1-for-2, is hitting just .125 (5-for-40) in May.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 17 2019Kiermaier will sit against southpaw CC Sabathia and the Yankees on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 11 2019Kiermaier sits Saturday against southpaw CC Sabathia and the Yankees, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 11 2019Kiermaier will sit Saturday against CC Sabathia and the Yankees, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
May 8 2019Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network<\/a> reports.Subscribe now<\/a> to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Jul 23 2018Kiermaier (foot) will man center field and bat atop the order against the Yankees on Monday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.Kiermaier is back in the starting lineup after missing the past two games due to a bone bruise on his right foot. The 28-year-old has been dealing with this issue since early April, so there's a chance it will pop up again in the future, though he anticipated that he would be around "100 percent" heading into this three-game set with New York. Across 36 games this year, he's hit .183 with a .548 OPS.
Jul 21 2018Kiermaier, who exited Friday's 6-5 loss to the Marlins with right foot discomfort, revealed after the contest that he's dealing with a severe bone bruise, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was removed in the fifth inning and indicated that he had been dealing with lingering pain in the foot since fouling a ball off it back on April 8, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The outfielder noted that the pain he felt Friday was the "worst" he has experienced this season, though he's optimistic that he'll only need to miss "a couple games" as a result of the setback. The Rays will evaluate Kiermaier on Saturday and determine if the 28-year-old requires a trip to the disabled list.
Jul 21 2018Kiermaier (foot) received a cortisone injection and expects to return Monday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier underwent an MRI on Saturday morning which confirmed the bone bruise on his right foot. The 28-year-old has been dealing with the issue since fouling a ball off his foot in early April, but Friday was apparently the worst it felt this season. Mallex Smith will shift over to center field for the Rays on Saturday, with Jake Bauers starting in left field.
Jul 20 2018Kiermaier exited Friday's tilt against the Marlins due to right foot discomfort.Kiermaier was likely removed as a precaution, and he'll be listed as day-to-day until more information becomes known. He'll be reevaluated prior to Saturday's matchup to determine his status moving forward.
Jul 11 2018Kiermaier went 3-for-5 with with a solo homer and a pair of runs scored Wednesday against the Tigers.The homer was a third-inning solo shot off Jordan Zimmermann. He also was driven in by C.J. Cron's three-run homer in the seventh after hitting an infield single. The game was just Kiermaier's second multi-hit effort of the season and dragged his batting average up to .175.
Jul 10 2018Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a triple, a walk and a run in an extra-inning win over the Tigers on Monday.Kiermaier laced his third three-bagger of the season in the 10th inning and subsequently crossed the plate with the winning run on Daniel Robertson's single. It was a rare taste of offensive success for the 28-year-old outfielder, who'd sat out Sunday's game with back tightness and has slashed just .145/.244/.261 across the 78 plate appearances over the 17 games he's played since returning from thumb surgery.
Jul 9 2018Kiermaier (back) is starting in center field and leading off Monday against the Tigers, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.He sat out Sunday's game with back tightness, but it was apparently a minor ailment. Kiermaier is hitting .141/.236/.234 with one home run and five steals in 16 games since returning from the disabled list. His 29.2 percent strikeout rate over that stretch is a little concerning, but better days are likely ahead, and it's nice to see him contributing on the bases even while struggling to reach base.
Jul 8 2018Kiermaier is out of the Rays' lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets due to back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The Rays are viewing Kiermaier's injury as a day-to-day concern for now, though a trip to the disabled list is still within the realm of possibility if he fails to notice much improvement in the near future. Mallex Smith will pick up a start in center field for Kiermaier in the series finale.
Jul 7 2018Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a stolen base Saturday against the Mets.Kiermaier's effort was unremarkable aside from him recording his sixth stolen base of the season. Since coming off the disabled list on June 19, he has attempted six stolen bases and been successful on five occasions. Though the rest of his stat-line lags behind, if he continues to run at this rate, he will force his way into fantasy relevance.
Jul 1 2018Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.After being activated from the 60-day disabled list June 19, Kiermaier had started 10 consecutive games in center field, going 6-for-38 (.158 average) while striking out 13 times. The 28-year-old is now slashing a woeful .160/.269/.259 across 93 plate appearances, but his Gold Glove-caliber defense will continue to earn him an everyday spot in the lineup. He'll get a breather for the series finale, however, opening up a spot in the outfield for Johnny Field.
Jun 26 2018Kiermaier, who went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in a win over the Nationals on Monday, has now hit safely in three straight games .Kiermaier came up empty at the plate in his first three games since returning from an extended absence due to thumb surgery, going 0-for-13 during that stretch. While he's still searching for the first multi-hit effort of his injury-shortened season heading into Tuesday's matinee contest versus the Nationals, Kiermaier has now hit safely in three consecutive games, lacing a triple in addition to Monday's homer and four RBI.
Jun 24 2018Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in a win over the Yankees on Saturday.Kiermaier finally broke through with a single after going hitless in his first three games since returning from an extended stint on the disabled list due to thumb surgery. The outfielder has a long way to go with respect to getting his numbers up to respectable levels, as his line still sits at .136/.227/.186 following Saturday's production.
Jun 21 2018Kiermaier, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in a loss to the Astros on Wednesday, is 0-for-9 overall in his two games since returning from the disabled list due to a thumb injury.Kiermaier was sidelined just over two months, so it's little surprise he's struggling with his timing at the plate. The Gold Glover also hadn't had much of a chance to get acclimated to the new season before his injury, as he'd suited up for only 12 games before hurting his thumb. Now back at full health, he'll look to improve on an early line that sits at a dreadful .135/.211/.192 across his first 57 plate appearances of 2018.
Jun 19 2018Kiermaier (thumb) was activated from the 60-day disabled list and is starting in center field Tuesday against the Astros, Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle reports.As expected, Kiermaier is back with the Rays after spending more than two months on the shelf with a torn ligament in his thumb. He'll immediately reclaim his role as the team's everyday center fielder and leadoff man. Prior to landing on the disabled list, Kiermaier hit just .153/.250/.233 with a stolen base in 12 games. The Rays have yet to announce a corresponding roster move.
Jun 18 2018Kiermaier (thumb) will return to action Tuesday if a pregame workout Monday goes well, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Prior reports had Kiermaier set to return Friday, but it appears that he's closer to action than expected. The center fielder has been out since mid-April after tearing a ligament in his thumb. He's likely to immediately reclaim his full-time center field job upon his return, leaving the rest of the Rays' outfield picture uncertain. Mallex Smith and Carlos Gomez have started the most games out of Rays' outfielders recently, leaving them likely candidates to start most of the time once Kiermaier returns, cutting into the playing time of Johnny Field and Rob Refsnyder.
Jun 18 2018Kiermaier (thumb) is on track to be activated from the 60-day disabled list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier played in his fifth rehab game with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, going 1-for-4 while playing the whole game in center field. He's now 7-for-17 through five games with the Bulls. Barring any setbacks during Kiermaier's upcoming week of rehab games, it sounds like the outfielder will be activated ahead of the Rays' series opener against the Yankees on Friday despite earlier statements from manager Kevin Cash suggesting his rehab assignment would extend for multiple weeks. The outfielder, who was hitting just .163/.250/.233 across 12 games before injuring himself, will immediately reclaim his role as the team's primary center fielder upon reinstatement.
Jun 18 2018Kiermaier (thumb) is set to come off the 60-day disabled list ahead of Tuesday's matchup against the Astros, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier has been on the shelf since undergoing thumb surgery April 20, but after completing his minor-league rehab assignment, he's healthy enough to return from the disabled list. He managed to play in just 12 games prior to suffering the injury, batting .163 with one RBI and a stolen base. Kiermaier figures to take over in center field, and Mallex Smith will likely become the No. 4 outfielder.
Jun 15 2018Kiermaier (thumb) went 1-for-4 while playing center field in Triple-A Durham's win over Gwinnett on Friday.Kiermaier had played his first two rehab games with High-A Charlotte, going 3-for-6 with two walks and a run. Friday marked his second consecutive game in the field, but despite his relatively brisk progress, his rehab assignment is still expected to extend for multiple weeks according to prior statements by manager Kevin Cash.
Jun 14 2018Kiermaier (thumb) went 1-for-2 with a triple and a run in High-A Charlotte's win over Dunedin on Wednesday while playing center field for five innings.Kiermaier was able to get through his scheduled five-inning stint in the field without issue, and he showed his conditioning was up to par by legging out a triple. The Gold Glover is 3-for-6 over his first two rehab games and will be back in the lineup for the Stone Crabs on Friday, Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports.
Jun 12 2018Kiermaier (thumb) went 2-for-4 with two singles and a walk while serving as the designated hitter for High-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.It was Kiermaier's first game action since April 15 against the Phillies, the contest in which he tore the ligament in his right thumb that ultimately required surgery. Having passed the first test of his rehab assignment, Kiermaier is now scheduled to play center field in Wednesday's game.
Jun 10 2018Kiermaier (thumb) took batting practice before Sunday's game without setbacks and will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Tuesday, J. Scott Butherus of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier was also able to participate in some throwing drills before Saturday's contest, so it was certainly an encouraging weekend overall from a health standpoint. The Gold Glove outfielder is expected to play without limitations during his rehab assignment, which manager Kevin Cash confirms will last for a relatively extended period. "KK is going to play for a while," Cash said. "It's not going to be some two-day stint. He might say he's ready, but we are going to make sure he is good to go."
Jun 9 2018Kiermaier (thumb) was able to take part in some throwing Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier took batting practice Friday, and he's slated to begin a rehab assignment early next week. The 28-year-old outfielder is nearing a return after undergoing thumb surgery April 20.
Jun 8 2018Kiermaier (thumb) participated in batting practice Friday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.Kiermaier has been getting some outfield work in for the past couple weeks but this marks the first time he's taking any sort of batting practice since undergoing thumb surgery April 20. In another encouraging sign for the outfielder, he confirmed that a rehab assignment is set to being Tuesday, and that he hopes to return to the majors around June 20.
May 25 2018Kiermaier (thumb) will have a medical evaluation next Friday to check on the status of his progress, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier has already started doing some outfield work and is still shooting for a pre-All-Star-break return. The Gold and Platinum Glove outfielder remains without an official timeline for return, but he reports feeling good about his recovery at this stage.
May 12 2018Kiermaier (thumb) will be with the team for part of their 10-day road trip and is already shagging flyballs during batting practice, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The talented outfielder is still scheduled to be out until July recovering from right thumb surgery, but he's due to have his cast removed next Friday. At that point, he's scheduled to begin strengthening exercises and eventually move into baseball drills. Kiermaier is projected to return shortly after the All-Star break, but he would consider an earlier return "a huge bonus".
Apr 20 2018Kiermaier underwent successful thumb surgery Friday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier was recently transferred to the 60-day disabled list earlier this week after suffering a torn ligament in his right thumb during Sunday's game against Philadelphia. His initial timetable of 8-to-12 weeks will likely leave him sidelined until mid-June.
Apr 17 2018Kiermaier (thumb) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.The move will have little effect on Kiermaier's return date, as he's already expected to miss a minimum of eight weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb. He was removed from the 40-man roster in order to clear a spot for Brandon Snyder, who was called up to replace the injured Matt Duffy (hamstring).
Apr 16 2018Kiermaier was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right thumb and will undergo surgery, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list Monday and is expected to miss 8-12 weeks.This is a brutal blow for Kiermaier, who is set to miss extended time for a third consecutive season due to injury -- he missed 61 games with a fractured hip in 2017 and 48 games in 2016 due to a broken wrist. The 27-year-old suffered the injury while sliding headfirst into second base during Sunday's game against the Phillies, and subsequent tests revealed ligament damage that will require him to go under the knife. The Rays haven't announced a possible timetable for his return at this point, but early indications are that he'll be sidelined for at least seven weeks. For comparison, Mike Trout missed around six weeks last season after sustaining a similar injury to his non-throwing hand. Seeing as Kiermaier sustained the injury to his throwing hand, a longer absence should be expected. Expect a more concrete timetable to emerge in the coming days. In the meantime, look for Johnny Field and Rob Refsnyder to see more playing time while Kiermaier is sidelined.
Apr 15 2018Kiermaier (finger) will receive an MRI on Monday, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Although a more definitive timeframe for Kiermaier's return should become available after Monday's examination, it appears the center fielder could be facing an extended absence. The 27-year-old indicated that he expects he'll be out for awhile after exiting Sunday's game with what was diagnosed as a sprained right thumb. Should he land on the DL, Johnny Field and Rob Refsnyder could be in line to see more time in the Rays' outfield.
Apr 15 2018Kiermaier suffered a right thumb sprain that forced him to exit Sunday's matchup against the Phillies.Kiermaier was replaced by Johnny Field in the contest. He had been 1-for-1 with a run scored prior to exiting. Look for the team to conduct further testing, while Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day in advance of Monday's series opener against Texas.
Apr 14 2018Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-4 loss to the Phillies.It's his first multi-hit performance of the season. Kiermaier's .143/.234/.214 slash line with 18 strikeouts through 11 games is well below expectations, but his defense will keep him in the lineup while he works his way out of his slump.
Apr 11 2018Kiermaier (foot) will play center field and bat second against the White Sox on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier missed the first two games of this series after fouling a ball off his foot against the Red Sox on Sunday, though he appears to be fully operational heading into the finale in Chicago. The outfielder will receive another day off Thursday before the Rays begin a series with Philadelphia, so Kiermaier should face no limitations moving forward if all goes according to plan Wednesday.
Apr 11 2018Kiermaier (foot) was still wearing a walking boot after Tuesday's game but both he and manager Kevin Cash stated the outfielder would be in the lineup Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was reportedly available off the bench if needed Tuesday, although he never entered the game. There had apparently been some thought to holding him out of Wednesday's contest as well with Thursday's off day looming, but Cash seems to echo Kiermaier's sentiment that he'll be in uniform for the series finale against the White Sox.
Apr 10 2018Kiermaier could be available off the bench Tuesday against the White Sox as his foot is feeling better, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier fouled a ball off his foot Sunday and while he was able to finish the game, he sat out Monday's contest. He says he can put pressure on the foot Tuesday, and though he's not in the starting lineup, he may be available off the bench. He expects to be back in the lineup Wednesday for the series finale in Chicago.
Apr 9 2018Kiermaier (foot) said X-rays revealed no break and he hopes to play in a few days, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier, who is out of Monday's lineup against the White Sox, suffered the injury after fouling a ball off his right foot during Sunday's loss to the Red Sox. Fortunately, X-rays came back clean, and the 27-year-old said he's simply dealing with "a bone bruise." Kiermaier is hoping he can return to action as early as Tuesday, but his foot was still pretty swollen as of Monday, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the Rays play it safe and give him more than a day to heal up.
Apr 9 2018Kiermaier (foot) is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier fouled a ball off his foot during Sunday's series finale against the Red Sox, and while he was able to finish out the game, he was noticeably limping at times later in the game according to Topkin. The issue remains bothersome enough to keep him out Monday, with Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Mallex Smith holding down the outfield (from left to right) in his stead. Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day for now, but Topkin noted there was a crutch and a walking boot in front of the outfielder's locker Monday morning, so it's possible he could be sidelined for more than a few days.
Apr 8 2018Kiermaier (illness) will start in center field and bat second Sunday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Though he's feeling better after missing Saturday's game while battling flu-like symptoms, Kiermaier indicated that he's not 100 percent healthy, according to Topkin. With the outfielder off to a 2-for-28 start to the season and operating at less-than-optimal strength for a matchup against a tough southpaw in Eduardo Rodriguez, Kiermaier is probably worth avoiding in DFS formats Sunday.
Apr 7 2018Kiermaier is not in Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox due to "general illness," Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.In his place, Carlos Gomez will patrol center field while Denard Span and Mallex Smith man the corner spots. Kiermaier has started seven of the Rays' eight games up to this point, but has been struggling mightily at the dish, going just 2-for-28 with 12 strikeouts. Consider him day-to-day ahead of Sunday's outing.
Apr 2 2018Kiermaier went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Red Sox.Kiermaier had deployed an adjusted batting stance with success during spring training, but the production has yet to carry over into the regular season. The 27-year-old has hit safely just once over his first 15 at-bats, while also already striking out on five occasions. Given that he'd kept his strikeout rate under 20 percent in three of his first four seasons, Kiermaier is bound to break out of his opening-series funk in relatively short order.His next opportunity to do so will presumably come Tuesday against the Yankees, as Monday's game has been rained out.
Mar 26 2018Kiermaier is anxious to deploy the new batting stance that's brought him success this spring in the regular season, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I'm just really excited about this year, because I feel like I'm a lot more comfortable with my stance at the plate and that's translated into confidence, into good at-bats," Kiermaier said.Kiermaier feels the adjustments he's made in the batter's box have facilitated his use of the entire field, which has him heading into 2018 with a great deal of confidence. The 27-year-old set new career highs in home runs (15) and batting average (.276) in 2017, but he continues to head into each season with the mindset of having something to prove. "We're all competitive," he said. "But for me, I always feel like I have something to prove to someone. It goes back to me being a 31st-rounder [in the Draft]. Not a whole lot of people thought I was good enough to be taken early. A lot of people passed on me. Same thing with my offense. I always want to prove to people that I can hit."
Mar 5 2018Kiermaier, who went 1-for-3 with an RBI ground-rule double in Sunday's 9-1 Grapefruit League win over the Yankees, is slashing .235/.235/.294 with a double, three RBI and a run across six spring training games.The lone starting holdover in the outfield from last season, Kiermaier is off to a slow start following a 2017 campaign in which he established career bests in batting average (.276), OBP (.338) and home runs (15). The multi-skilled 27-year-old figures to fill a prominent role in the top half of the order once again this season, although exactly where he'll slot in to open 2018 remains to be seen. Kiermaier has worked as the leadoff man thus far this spring, along with filling the No. 2 role he was deployed in Sunday. His usage a season ago was almost even between the two spots, as Kiermaier logged 148 at-bats at the top of the lineup and 172 as the No. 2 man.
Feb 26 2018Kiermaier occupied the leadoff spot for the Rays in Sunday's 5-4 Grapefruit League victory over the Twins, going hitless in three at-bats.While he didn't find any success Sunday and stranded three runners on base, Kiermaier's usage atop the order is noteworthy nonetheless. It appears manager Kevin Cash is still exploring where Kiermaier fits best in Tampa Bay's lineup, as the outfielder previously slotted in as the No. 3 hitter in the Rays' exhibition opener Friday. So long as remains somewhere in the upper half of the order and avoids the extensive disabled-list stints that sidetracked his past two seasons, Kiermaier's blend of speed, on-base and bat-to-ball skills and emerging power should translate to quality across-the-board production.
Oct 1 2017Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles.Mallex Smith will start in center field and hit eighth with Kiermaier out of the lineup. Kiermaier came back from an illness and played in Saturday's game, in which he went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases. Injuries limited Kiermaier to 98 games this season. In that time he hit .276/.338/.450.
Sep 30 2017Kiermaier (illness) is in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles.Kiermaier rejoins the starting nine for the first time since Wednesday after dealing with an illness the past couple days. He will slide back into the leadoff spot while manning center field for Saturday's contest.
Sep 29 2017Kiermaier is dealing with an illness but is expected to rejoin the lineup Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier is not starting Friday for the second day in a row, but manager Kevin Cash revealed he is dealing with an illness and not any sort of injury, and he expects Kiermair to be available for the Rays' final two games of the season this weekend.
Sep 29 2017Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday for the second day in a row, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier appeared to be receiving a simple day off Thursday, but his absence from Friday's lineup, particularly with him hitting .290 this month, brings a potential injury into the equation. Regardless of why, though, Kiermaier will open on the bench Friday while Peter Bourjos gets the start in center field.
Sep 28 2017Kiermaier is not in the lineup Thursday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier will receive a standard day off after starting the past five games, going 6-for-20 (.300 average) during those contests. In his place, Peter Bourjos will take over in center.
Sep 25 2017Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-4 loss to the Orioles.The 27-year-old outfielder went deep for the first time since Sept. 15, extending his career-best homer total to 15. Kiermaier also has career bests in average (.276), OBP (.338) and slugging (.455) and is just two RBI from setting a new high-water mark in that category as well. The boosting of his offensive production alongside his Gold Glove defensive credentials is certainly an encouraging development, considering Kiermaier is capable of offering fantasy owners a comprehensive range of production that also includes solid stolen base numbers.
Sep 21 2017Kiermaier is out of the lineup Thursday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier will take a seat on the bench for the first time since coming off the DL (hip) on Aug. 18. Since his return, the outfielder is hitting .311/.356/.541 with seven home runs and 18 RBI in 29 games. Mallex Smith draws the assignment in center field in his absence.
Sep 16 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-6 with a solo home run, a walk, a stolen base and two runs in Friday's 13-6 extra-inning loss to the Red Sox.Kiermaier has been wielding a hot bat since coming off the disabled list in mid-August, as he's compiled 11 multi-hit efforts and smacked seven homers, including three in the last three games. He's also driven in 17 of his 37 runs on the season over that span while raising his average 22 points to .279 in the process.
Sep 13 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-5 with a solo homer in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees.With homers in back-to-back games, Kiermaier has lifted his total to 13 on the year, exceeding his total from all of last season in 19 fewer games. He's batting .327 with six homers and three steals in 24 games since his return from a hip injury in mid-August. The 27-year-old continues to grow as a hitter and should remain a fixture atop the order for Tampa Bay.
Sep 6 2017Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Twins.Kiermaier has looked like the player fantasy owners paid up for during draft season since his return a hip fracture in mid-August. He is batting .360 with four homers, 14 RBI and three steals in his last 18 games, after posting a .212/.305/.283 line in his first 30 games of the season. The 27-year-old should lead off almost every day down the stretch.
Sep 5 2017Kiermaier went 3-for-5 with a two-run single, a double and two runs in Monday's 11-4 win over the Twins. He also recorded his 13th stolen base.Kiermaier was outstanding from the top of the order once again, and he now has three multi-hit efforts over his first four games of September. The 28-year-old outfielder has hit safely in 14 of 16 games since returning from his hip injury on Aug. 18, posting an impressive .433 wOBA and 35.9 percent hard contact rate over that span.
Aug 29 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-2 with an RBI single, a double, two walks and two runs in Monday's 12-0 win over the Royals.Kiermaier has four hits over the last two games, a stretch that includes a pair of doubles. The Gold Glove outfielder has already raised his average 16 points to .273 in the 10 games he's played since returning from a stint on the disabled list with a hip injury by hitting safely in eight of those contests.
Aug 28 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-5 with a double in Sunday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Cardinals.Kiermaier continues to wield a hot bat since his return from injury, as Sunday's production marked his fifth multi-hit effort in nine games since returning. The Gold Glove outfielder has also compiled eight RBI during that stretch as part of a .325/.357/.650 line.
Aug 24 2017Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, a stolen base, three runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays.The center fielder almost single-handedly dragged the Rays back into the game after they fell into an early 5-0 hole, taking Marcus Stroman deep in the third and fifth innings. Kiermaier has been doing his best to make up for the time he lost to a fractured hip, slashing .476/.522/1.048 with three homers in five games since coming off the DL.
Aug 21 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Mariners.Kiermaier's eighth bomb of the season, a 443-foot bomb to center, opened the scoring on the afternoon. The Gold Glove outfielder has one of only two multi-hit efforts on the day for the Rays, and he went 5-for-12 with a double, Sunday's homer, two RBI and three runs in the weekend series against the Mariners.
Aug 19 2017Kiermaier will be the Rays' leadoff hitter on a full-time basis for the rest of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.He is atop the lineup Saturday, even against lefty Ariel Miranda, and that will be the case for the rest of the season. If he has not already been scooped up, Kiermaier should be added in most roto formats, as he should be a valuable source of runs and steals over the rest of the season.
Aug 18 2017Kiermaier (hip) was activated from the DL and is in the lineup Friday against the Mariners, Scott Braun of the MLB Network reports.As planned, Kiermaier is set to return to action Friday night. Prior to landing on the disabled list, Kiermaier had built a .258/.329/.408 line over 62 games.
Aug 18 2017Kiermaier (hip) is expected to rejoin the Rays lineup Friday, MLB Network Radio reports.The long road back from his hip fracture looks ready to conclude. Manager Kevin Cash told the program he was "thrilled" to be getting him back in the fray. Kiermaier will log his first big-league action since June 8.
Aug 15 2017Kiermaier (hip, back) played in the outfield for High-A Charlotte against Bradenton Tuesday, his first game in the field during his rehab, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, so his night at the plate wasn't a success by any means. However, the most important aspect of Tuesday's outing was the 27-year-old's ability to resume playing in the field, putting him a step closer to what is expected to be a Friday return to the big-league club.
Aug 14 2017Kiermaier (hip, back), who went 1-for-5 with an RBI triple and a run in High-A Charlotte's loss to Bradenton on Sunday, is slated for at least three more rehab games, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The recovering outfielder went 1-for-9 over his first two contests, playing both games as the designated hitter. Kiermaier may be deployed in the outfield beginning Tuesday after receiving the night off Monday. If all goes well during the rest of the week, Kiermaier would presumably rejoin the Rays for their upcoming weekend series versus the Mariners.
Aug 12 2017Kiermaier (hip) went 0-for-4 with a run in High-A Charlotte's win over Bradenton on Saturday.Irrespective of the hitless performance, the good news was that Kiermaier got back into game action for the first time since July 28. The recovering outfielder is scheduled to play multiple games before being considered for activation, with the goal being for him to return in time for next weekend's series versus the Mariners.
Aug 11 2017Kiermaier (hip) will embark on a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Moving forward, the plan for Kiermaier appears to be a couple of games at DH this weekend, and then a contest out in the field Tuesday following a scheduled day off Monday. The 27-year-old has been out since early June after suffering a fractured hip sliding into first base during a game against the White Sox. If all goes well, Kiermaier is hoping to rejoin the team next weekend for the beginning of Tampa Bay's homestand against the Mariners. The team will likely reevaluate his progress following Tuesday's outing, with a clear timetable for his return.
Aug 9 2017Kiermaier (hip) will resume a running program Thursday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was shut down earlier this month after experiencing some back pain following two rehab games with High-A Charlotte, but it appears the setback isn't anything overly significant. He was already been cleared to resume limited baseball activities early in the week, and if he continues to feel fine during his workouts Wednesday, he'll ramp things up with his running the following day. Manager Kevin Cash noted that Kiermaier will need to restart his rehab assignment before coming off the 60-day disabled list, with a potential activation likely to come no earlier than the Rays' upcoming homestand from Aug. 18 to 24.
Aug 8 2017Kiermaier (hip, back) has resumed limited baseball activities, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier is slowly but surely working his way back from multiple injuries that have kept him sidelined since the beginning of June. While he feeling well enough to participate in certain baseball activities, the Rays won't send him back on a rehab assignment until he is completely pain-free, which doesn't appear to be the case at this point. A clearer timetable should become available once he is able to resume a rehab assignment, but it's looking like he won't be back until the second half of August at the earliest.
Aug 4 2017Kiermaier (hip, back) says his lower back is feeling better, but he remains shut down from any baseball activities, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier is restricted from resuming his minor-league rehab outings until he's completely pain-free, which isn't yet the case. The outfielder is not overly concerned with the setback, but is frustrated with the fact that it will push his eventual return to the Rays further back than originally planned.
Aug 1 2017Kiermaier (hip) is experiencing significant back pain and will remain shut down from baseball activities for a couple days, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Manager Kevin Cash said Kiermaier is only experiencing the back pain when fielding grounders, and he remains optimistic that rest and treatment will help him resume his rehab sometime next week. This setback likely pushes his return date to mid-August.
Jul 30 2017Rays manager Kevin Cash said Sunday that he expects Kiermaier (hip, back) to resume his rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte in a couple of days, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was scratched from his scheduled appearance with Charlotte on Saturday after back tightness set in, but the injury doesn't look to be related to the fractured hip he suffered in June and therefore shouldn't dramatically delay his return timetable. The Rays remain hopeful Kiermaier will be ready for activation from the 60-day disabled list when first eligible Aug. 9, or shortly after that date.
Jul 29 2017Kiermaier (hip) was scratched from Saturday's rehab appearance at High-A Charlotte with back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier still isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until August 9, so this setback may not impact his return date at all. That said, it's never a good thing to have a rehab assignment interrupted by injury, as he needs every bit of game action he can before he returns. For now, though, the club isn't considering it serious, so expect Kiermaier back in the High-A Charlotte lineup shortly.
Jul 28 2017Kiermaier (hip) went 2-for-3 with a walk while playing designated hitter for High-A Charlotte on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier's second rehab game generated better results than his Thursday debut, when he'd gone 0-for-2 while starting in center field. The Gold Glove outfielder isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until Aug. 9 at the earliest, so he should have plenty of opportunities to regain his timing offensively.
Jul 25 2017Updating a previous report, Kiermaier (hip) will begin his rehab assignment at High-A Charlotte on Thursday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The Gold Glove outfielder was originally going to get back into game action this coming weekend, but it appears the Rays will move that timeline up by a couple of days. While Kiermaier's rehab is expected to be fairly extensive, he could beat initial projections if demonstrates he's ahead of the curve in his recovery.
Jul 24 2017Rays manager Kevin Cash said Monday that Kiermaier (hip) will likely kick off a rehab assignment at High-A Charlotte before the weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier has been gradually increasing his involvement in baseball-related activities for the last several days, and it looks as though he's demonstrated enough progress to test his injured hip out in a game setting. By virtue of being transferred to the 60-day disabled list earlier this summer, Kiermaier won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 8, so he'll likely be in store for an extended rehab assignment across multiple different affiliates.
Jul 21 2017Kiermaier (hip) hopes to start a rehab assignment next week and return to the lineup when eligible on August 9, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier started running and taking flyballs prior to Friday's contest, and it appears that he's confident that he'll be able to ramp things up quickly enough to get back into action at the earliest possible date. Time will tell whether this is a realistic timetable, but in the meantime, it's good to hear that his return is on the horizon.
Jul 21 2017Kiermaier (hip) participated in some light running and took fly balls prior to Friday's game against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was scheduled to be cleared for baseball activities this weekend, and taking fungoes appears to be the beginning of his next phase in rehab. The sharp-hitting outfielder still has a ways to go before joining the Rays sometime near Aug. 9, but expect him to begin a rehab assignment sometime within the couple weeks.
Jul 13 2017Kiermaier (hip) should be cleared for baseball activities when the Rays return from their current road trip on July 21, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Manager Kevin Cash, who commented that his rehabbing outfielder is currently "jumping around and moving pretty good", mentioned that Kiermaier should be ready to rejoin the team on or shortly after Aug. 9, which is the date he's eligible to come off the disabled list. Kiermaier has slashed .258/.329/.408 with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 62 games this season, and had hit .364 over his first 22 plate appearances of June prior to being sidelined.
Jul 7 2017Kiermaier (hip) took a few swings and began playing catch for the first time since landing on the disabled list prior to Friday's game with the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Just a day after losing the crutches, Kiermaier was able to toss the ball around and take dry swings as he begins the lengthy road back from a fractured hip. This news shows that the outfielder is making good progress, but there has yet to be a structured timetable for Kiermaier's return.
Jul 6 2017Kiermaier (hip) is able to move without the use of crutches, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.This is a big step in his recovery process, as it likely means that he'll be able to resume light agility and strengthening drills relatively soon. No official timetable for those events has been disclosed as of now, although most expect Kiermaier to return sometime in mid-August.
Jun 27 2017Kiermaier (hip) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday.The Rays selected the contract of minor-league hurler Adam Kolarek on Tuesday, so they utilized the Kiermaier move to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. The rangy outfielder remains out indefinitely with a fractured hip.
Jun 9 2017Kiermaier (hip) was placed on the 10-day DL on Friday.It was reported earlier Friday that Kiermaier suffered a fracture in his hip stemming from sliding into first base Thursday night. The Rays have now officially placed the center fielder on the disabled list while calling up Mallex Smith from Triple-A Durham to provide outfield depth. Kiermaier will miss at least two months with the injury and is unlikely to return before the middle of August.
Jun 9 2017Kiermaier (hip) will be out at least two months after fracturing his hip during Thursday's game against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was seen on crutches after the game, following an injury that occurred while sliding into first base that forced him to exit the game. The initial reports diagnosed the centerfielder with a jammed hip, but further testing that included a CT scan, an MRI and X-rays revealed the significant injury that will hold Kiermaier out until mid-August. The Rays have not placed him on the disabled list yet, but will likely bring up Mallex Smith from Triple-A Durham when the team decides to place him there. For the time being, Peter Bourjos will likely take over in center.
Jun 8 2017Kiermaier (hip) was seen using crutches in the clubhouse after Thursday's win over the White Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The Gold Glove center fielder was lifted from Thursday's game after suffering an injury on a slide into first base. The Rays have already diagnosed him with a jammed hip, but the full extent of Kiermaier's injury won't be known until he goes for further testing Friday. If Kiermaier is held out for the series opener against the A's, Peter Bourjos would be a viable option to take over in center.
Jun 8 2017Kiermaier left Thursday's game with a jammed right hip and he is being sent for further testing, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay TImes reports.The speedy outfielder injured his hip on an awkward slide into first base as he tried to scrape out an infield single. He left the field gingerly while being accompanied by the Rays' training staff. At this time, Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's series opener against the A's, but his status should come into focus following his evaluation from the medical staff late Thursday.
Jun 8 2017Kiermaier exited Thursday's game in the fifth inning after sliding into first base on a ground ball, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Colby Rasmus entered the game in left field while Peter Bourjos slid over to center to take over for the injured Kiermaier. The extent of Kiermaier's injury is unknown at this point, but it appeared that he suffered a possible leg injury on his slide into first. Kiermaier left the field with the team training staff and there figures to be a further update on his status later in Thursday's game.
Jun 7 2017Kiermaier went 3-for-4 in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the White Sox.Kiermaier now owns a .500 average against White Sox starter Jose Quintana over 14 career at-bats and boasts 10 multi-hit efforts in his last 23 games. The Gold Glove outfielder has resurrected his offense during that stretch, compiling six doubles, a triple, six home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs and a .419 wOBA in 100 plate appearances while raising his season average 54 points to .261.
Jun 3 2017Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a double and a two-run home run in Friday's 12-4 loss to the Mariners.He's now homered in three straight games, giving him seven on the season, and Kiermaier has a .375/.412/.906 slash line over the last week. The 27-year-old's overall numbers on the season are on par with last year's performance on a per-game basis, but if he can stay healthy he should shatter his previous career highs in all the counting stat categories.
May 31 2017Kiermaier went 1-for-5 in Wednesday's win over Texas, and the one hit was a big one: a solo homer that handed Matt Bush a blown save in the ninth inning.He's now homered in two straight games, and just as crucially, he hasn't struck out in either of those contests. If he can build on this and shrink his abnormally high strikeout rate, Kiermaier will put himself in position to rack up plentiful steals and runs while hitting around the top of Tampa's lineup.
May 31 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a triple and a solo homer in Tuesday's loss to Texas.After striking out seven times in 12 at-bats over the course of Sunday and Monday, Kiermaier bounced back by making hard contact in this one. If you can suffer through his mediocre-to-poor batting average, the power-speed combo certainly plays in a lot of fantasy formats, though he's been a bit thin on RBI and runs (162-game paces of 47 and 82, respectively) while hitting toward the top of the inconsistent Tampa lineup.
May 27 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Twins.The center fielder is enjoying his best stretch of the season with the bat, slashing .333/.393/.569 with three home runs, eight RBI, eight runs and three stolen bases over his last 14 games. Kiermaier's .678 OPS on the year still lags behind his previous seasons, but it could rise quickly if he remains locked in.
May 26 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a stolen base in two attempts in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Angels.The Gold Glove outfielder has started to come on at the plate in May after hitting just .220 in April. Kiermaier has now hit .313 over his last 13 games, a stretch that's included two home runs, six RBI, seven runs, three stolen bases and five multi-hit efforts overall.
May 17 2017Kiermaier will start in center field and bat second in the order Wednesday against the Indians, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier will occupy the two hole for the second game in a row with Brad Miller (abdomen) receiving the afternoon off. Manager Kevin Cash had previously deployed Kiermaier as the No. 8 hitter when Miller was healthy, but it's not out of the question for Kiermaier to maintain a favorable spot in the lineup even once Miller is cleared to return to action. After struggling through much of the first month and a half of the season, Kiermaier seems to have turned a corner over the last five games, recording seven hits in 17 at-bats, including a pair of homers and doubles.
May 16 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs in Monday's 8-7 loss to the Indians.Kiermaier's impressive tear continues, as he's now posted two-hit efforts in three of his last four games, a stretch that's included two homers. The 27-year-old outfielder's May slash line (.271/.375/.438) is a drastic improvement over his April effort, particularly in the area of slugging, a category in which he'd generated an anemic .300 figure during the season's opening month.
May 15 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with an RBI infield single and two runs in Sunday's 11-2 win over the Red Sox.Kiermaier now has hits in three straight and six of his last seven, a modest streak that's nevertheless a welcome sight for a player whose average had dipped to .205 before the current stretch. The Gold Glove outfielder was hitting .294 as recently as April 21, so his subsequent free fall was a significant one. Recent performances may signify that Kiermaier has snapped out of the funk, and Sunday's run-scoring single pushed his May RBI total (seven) to more than twice his total for all of April (three).
May 13 2017Kiermaier went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's loss to Boston.The dinger came off of Boston starter Chris Sale, and was his second round-tripper of the season. It was nice to see Kiermaier contribute offensively -- especially off of a lefty -- but with a slash line of .218/.311/.303 and wOBA of .277, he has offered very little fantasy value this season outside of the occasional stolen base.
May 6 2017Kiermaier (hand) is batting eighth and starting in center field Saturday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Time reports.Kiermaier is dealing with a bruised hand after leaving Friday's game following a hit-by-pitch, so he drops from his regular spot in the No. 2 hole. Nonetheless, it appears he's good to go after taking batting practice Saturday morning, a very fortunate sign considering his premature exit. The 27-year-old has been struggling from the plate recently to the tune of a 2-for-24 clip, yet remains an everyday presence in the Tampa Bay outfield.
May 5 2017Kiermaier was diagnosed with a bruised hand after X-rays found no further damage resulting from a hit-by-pitch Friday night, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier's status for Saturday afternoon's game will depend on swelling and how the injury responds overnight, but this one shouldn't require a trip to the disabled list. Considering Kiermaier's recent struggles (just four hits in his last 45 at-bats entering Friday's game), it wouldn't be surprising if he got a day off Saturday to rest the hand.
May 5 2017Kiermaier was forced to leave Friday's game against the Blue Jays after taking a hit-by-pitch off the hand from Francisco Liriano, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was able to stay in the game for two innings after the hit-by-pitch, but it's unclear if his removal was precautionary or because the injury was more serious than it initially seemed. With all those small bones in one place, the hand is a particularly scary one for hit-by-pitches. Expect an update from the team before Saturday's 4:10 PM start time.
May 1 2017Kiermaier is not in the lineup Monday against the Marlins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier is just 1-for-32 over his last eight games, so he'll head to the bench for a breather as Peter Bourjos takes over in center field. The 27-year-old should find himself back in the lineup for Tuesday's contest.
Apr 25 2017Kiermaier returned to the starting lineup Monday against the Orioles but still doesn't feel completely over the illness that recently plagued him, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiemaier was forced from Friday's and Saturday's games versus the Astros with a virus that produced symptoms such as a sore throat, light-headedness and general weakness. The 27-year-old still doesn't feel full recovered despite his return, which may partly explain an 0-for-5 night Monday that included three strikeouts.
Apr 23 2017Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.It's not believed that Kiermaier, who exited early Friday with an illness before returning to the lineup Saturday, has fallen under the weather again, but the Rays may just have wanted to give him a day off after he had started in each of the team's previous 19 games. Kiermaier should still be available off the bench as a pinch-hitter or late-inning defensive replacement, but Steven Souza will receive the start in center field in his stead.
Apr 22 2017Kiermaier (illness) is in the lineup Saturday against the Astros, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was removed from Friday's game due to illness, but he's apparently moved past the issue and will get the start at his usual spot in center field. The 27-year-old, who was 1-for-3 with a single before departing Friday, is currently riding a six-game hit streak, and he's batting .294 overall on the young season.
Apr 22 2017Kiemaier, who went 1-for-3 in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Astros, departed with an illness after five innings, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier also turned in one of his trademark stellar defensive plays in the second with a leaping catch of a line shot by Brian McCann, catching the ball in front of the screen in right-center. He's considered day-to-day and it remains to be seen if he'll be fit enough to take the field for Saturday's 6:10pm EST start.
Apr 20 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two RBI during Thursday's win over Detroit.Currently locked in at the dish, Kiermaier sports an active five-game hitting streak (10-for-20) with eight runs, two doubles, a home run, three RBI and two stolen bases. It's an impressive stretch for the 27-year-old outfielder, and it's silenced a slow start to the campaign.
Apr 20 2017Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double and four runs scored in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Tigers.The four runs were a new single-game personal best for Kiermaier, who's celebrated his offseason contract extension by hitting .274/.366/.355 with a home run, eight RBI, 12 runs and four steals through 16 games.
Apr 17 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a run during Monday's loss to Boston.It's been an underwhelming start to the season for Kiermaier, as the center fielder sports a pedestrian .245/.344/.302 slash line. Thankfully, his excellent defense will keep him in the lineup during cold stretches at the dish. At this point in his career, Kiermaier is unlikely to ever show significant improvement on the .258 batting average he entered 2017 with, but his production across the counting statistics moves the needle enough to make him a serviceable fantasy asset in deeper settings.
Apr 9 2017Kiermaier was ejected from Sunday's game in the seventh inning after arguing a called strike.Although he had to leave Sunday's game early, Kiermaier still had a productive day as he went 3-for-4 and scored a run. Upon his departure, Peter Bourjos was sent to center field.
Apr 3 2017Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks and a stolen base in Sunday's 7-3 Opening Day win over the Yankees.Kiermaier filled the No. 2 role in the order to perfection Sunday, setting the table for potential scoring opportunities with all but one of his at-bats. Armed with a new six-year extension coming into 2017, both the team and Kiermaier have high expectations for a breakout campaign after three solid albeit unspectacular campaigns to open his career. Sunday's effort featured a glimpse of virtually everything Kiermaier brings to the table as an offensive threat, although the 26-year-old outfielder will also look to build on the career-high 12 home runs he hit over 105 games last season.
Mar 20 2017Kiermaier (neck) went 2-for-2 with a walk, a RBI and a stolen base on Monday.Kiermaier played his second straight game in the outfield on Monday after missing time with a neck injury. The injury was never thought to be overly serious, as evidenced by the six-year, $53.5 million extension he recently signed. If the 26-year-old is able to stay healthy, he could be looking at a season where he collects 10-plus homers and 20-plus stolen bases.
Mar 15 2017Kiermaier (neck) is back in the lineup as the designated hitter Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.As expected, Kiermaier will return to spring action after sitting Tuesday with a sore neck. He will bat out of the two-hole, which is where he projects to be on Opening Day. We will continue to monitor the neck issue at least until he's back in the field -- it's something that was a problem earlier this month as well -- but the Rays seems confident it's a minor injury. The fact that they just signed Kiermaier to a six-year, $53.5 million extension speaks to that confidence.
Mar 14 2017Kiermaier (neck) signed a six-year, $50 million extension with the Rays on Tuesday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.Although mostly known for his elite defense in center field, Kiermaier quietly put together a solid offensive season in 2016. Despite missing 57 games, he posted a career-high 12 home runs in 414 plate appearances and finished with a career-best .331 on-base percentage. The 26-year-old is a better real life player than fantasy player, but if he's able to stay healthy, he'll have a good shot at posting 10+ homers and 20+ stolen bases.
Mar 14 2017Kiermaier (neck) is expected to be the Rays' DH in Wednesday's game against Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.After being scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a stiff neck, Kiermaier is on his way to returning. Although the Rays have yet to say when the Gold Glove winner will return to the field, seeing him serve as the DH should reassure prospective owners that his injury is relatively minor.
Mar 14 2017Kiermaier was scratched from Tuesday's game due to a stiff neck, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.He dealt with the same neck stiffness last week and only missed a few games. Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day for now, as the Rays have been adamant that it's nothing serious.
Mar 5 2017Kiermaier (neck) is playing center field and batting second in the lineup during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.Kiermaier was scratched from both Wednesday's and Friday's game due to neck soreness, but it appears that the injury was minor, as he is set to return to action this afternoon.
Mar 3 2017Kiermaier (neck) has been scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League lineup, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The outfielder also was removed from the lineup Wednesday with neck soreness. Keep tabs on when he can return, though the injury doesn't seem serious enough for long-term concern. Mallex Smith will make his spring debut in Kiermaier's absence.
Mar 1 2017Kiermaier was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game with neck soreness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The Rays say it's nothing serious, so hopefully the day off is a simple precaution. Dayron Varona will take his place in the outfield. The situation is worth monitoring, but consider Kiermaier day-to-day for now.
Feb 26 2017Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a single in Saturday's 7-2 Grapefruit League loss to a Pirates split squad.The Gold Glove outfielder has already emphasized a focus on offense for this coming season, and got matters off to a solid start in that regard Saturday while hitting out of the two-hole. Kiermaier is looking to build on the so-so .246/.331/.410 line he generated in 2016.
Feb 24 2017Kiermaier, whose stellar defense has already earned him one Platinum Glove and two Gold Glove awards in his first three big league campaigns, is focused on becoming a more consistent offensive player this season, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I've got to find consistency," Kiermaier said. "I've had some really bad stretches, and some really good stretches. When I can balance that out -- and I've had times when I've done that. Moving up to the 2-hole last year I think was the most consistent I've been in my Major League career since I came up in 2014."Kiermaier owns a respectable .258/.313/.425 line with 61 doubles, 22 triples, 32 homers and 112 RBI over his major league career, along with 44 stolen bases in 56 attempts. However, after topping out at a .263 average in both 2014 and 2015, Kiermaier is seeking to take things to the next level at the plate and maximize one of his best attributes -- speed. The 27-year-old is prioritizing the improvement of his OBP by any means necessary this coming season, emphasizing that he'll look to draw more walks, work deeper into counts, and up his overall aggression at the plate. He's also on record as stating that he'll definitely look to do a lot more bunting in 2017, which would serve as another avenue for the fleet Kiermaier to get on base.
Feb 13 2017Kiermaier confirmed in a recent radio interview that he's being considered for a move to the leadoff spot in 2017, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 26-year-old's 80.0 percent contact rate and 9.9 percent walk rate are adequate for a spot at the top of the order, but his career OBP of .313 leaves plenty to be desired with respect to a table-setting role. However, Kiermaier also brings a strong stolen-base profile, having swiped 44 bags in 56 attempts through his first three major league seasons. He did slash a solid .278/.356/.434 with eight doubles, a triple, seven homers, 19 RBI and 12 stolen bases over 198 at-bats out of the two-hole in 2016, providing some reason for optimism with respect to his prospects as a potential leadoff hitter. The departed Logan Forsythe primarily handled that role for the Rays last season and provided an impressive 20 homers and 52 RBI while doing so, but also checked in with a lower OBP (.335) than the aforementioned .356 figure Kiermaier generated while hitting immediately behind him. The Gold Glove outfielder's exact slot in the batting order will be finalized during spring training.
Jan 13 2017Kiermaier agreed to a one-year, $2.975 million contract with the Rays on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.A wrist injury cost Kiermaier a significant chunk of the season, but he finished strong with an .874 OPS, five homers and eight steals over the final month, bringing his totals to 12 homers and 21 steals for the year. He served as the Rays' primary No. 2 hitter down the stretch. His Gold Glove defense should keep him on the field close to every day to begin 2017.
Dec 6 2016Kiermaier (leg) is reportedly the subject of interest from the Nationals at the MLB winter meetings, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 26-year-old outfielder endured an injury-riddled campaign in 2016, but did manage a career high in homers (12) and stolen bases (21). His Gold Glove-caliber defense and potential at the plate make him an appealing target, and the Rays could pull the trigger with the right offer.
Oct 2 2016Kiermaier (leg) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier left Saturday's game with a leg injury, which will keep him out of Tampa Bay's season finale Sunday. Mikie Mahtook will start in center field and hit second in Kiermaier's absence.
Oct 1 2016Kiermaier exited Saturday's game against the Rangers after suffering an apparent injury to his leg, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier exited the game in the sixth inning after already making two at-bats. The Rays will have their final game of the season Sunday, and as a result, the team may simply err on the side of caution and let Kiermaier sit out.
Sep 30 2016Kiermaier is now slashing .312/.390/.516 in September following a 3-for-5 effort in a Thursday victory over the White Sox.The slash line is by far the best of any month for Kiermaier this season, while his multi-hit outing Thursday was his eighth of September, also a high-water mark. Kiermaier has raised his average a total of 40 points since Aug. 1, while blasting eight doubles, a triple, seven homers, 19 RBI and 11 stolen bases over that span.
Sep 28 2016Kiermaier (hand) is back in Wednesday's lineup, hitting second and patrolling center field, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports.He missed two games with the hand injury, but will return to providing a spark near the top of the Rays lineup and offering gold-glove caliber defense in center field. Kiermaier is hitting .253/.345/.397 with seven home runs and 14 steals in 63 games in the second half.
Sep 27 2016Kiermaier (hand) remains out of the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports.He will miss a second straight game with the hand injury he suffered over the weekend. Mikie Mahtook will start in center field and hit fifth Tuesday.
Sep 26 2016Kiermaier will miss Monday's game against the White Sox with an injured hand, but he hopes to start Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was forced to leave Sunday night's game against the Red Sox after he was hit by a pitch. It sounds like Kiermaier is optimistic, but given that he was feeling worse than expected Monday, he's no lock to be in Tuesday's lineup.
Sep 23 2016Kiermaier went 3-for-4 in Thursday's 2-0 victory over the Yankees.The 26-year-old is enjoying what hasbeen his finest month by far this season, as he's now slashing .324/.412/.568 over 74 September at-bats. Thursday's outing also serves as his sixth multi-hit effort since the turn of the calendar, while his five homers since Sep. 2 represent his best monthly figure in that category as well.
Sep 15 2016Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a walk and two runs in Wednesday's 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays.The 27-year-old outfielder took the struggling Marco Estrada deep in the fourth with a 358-foot shot, plating Logan Forsythe. Kiermaier is enjoying a productive September that has included a power surge, with five of his 12 round-trippers on the season having come over the 48 at-bats he's tallied this month. He now has five multi-hit efforts over that span, along with a .375/.455/.729 line that has boosted his season average (.250) to its highest point since Apr. 30.
Sep 10 2016Kiermaier is out of the lineup Saturday against the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.He had started the last 18 games, hitting .342/.383/.566 with four home runs and four steals over that stretch, so his hold on the center field job is as strong as ever. Mikie Mahtook will spell him Saturday, however, hitting eighth against right Masahiro Tanaka.
Sep 8 2016Kiermaier went 4-for-5 with a pair of solo homers in Thursday's 5-4 loss at Yankee Stadium.Kiermaier and teammate Steven Souza Jr. each hit a pair of homers, accounting for all of Tampa Bay's offense. The 26-year-old outfielder hadn't homered against a southpaw all year, so it's surprising that both of his long balls came against veteran lefty CC Sabathia. He has heated up recently with at least one hit in each of the past 12 games, and three homers in the last two.
Sep 7 2016Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a homer and a two-run single to spur the Rays to a 7-6 win over the Orioles on Wednesday.All of Kiermaier's RBI came in the first four innings while Orioles' starter Dylan Bundy was still in the game. The homer was Kiermaier's ninth of the year, and the three RBI brought his season haul to 32. Although he's hitting just .240, Kiermaier is now riding a 10-game hit streak.
Sep 5 2016Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a run and a pair of stolen bases in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Orioles.The 26-year-old outfielder is in the midst of his best stretch of the season at the plate, with hits in nine straight games. Kiermaier has also hit safely in 13 of his last 15 contests overall, with three doubles, a triple, a homer and four RBI over that span. While the overwhelming majority of his hits have been singles, Kiermaier has managed to raise his average to its highest figure since May 27 with the aid of his current streak.
Aug 31 2016Kiermaier went 3-for-5 with a run in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Red Sox.The 26-year-old now has a five-game hitting streak and finished August with seven multi-hit efforts. Kiermaier managed to bring his average up 20 points to .228 since August 1, after a forgettable July in which he slashed .143/.333/.214. Despite a long absence earlier in the summer due to a wrist injury, he's now just four homers away from eclipsing his career-best figure of 10 that he's managed in each of his previous two seasons.
Aug 22 2016Kiermaier (hip) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was unable to start the last two games due to his sore hip, but he will be back in the lineup Monday after seeing action off the bench in Sunday's contest. Kiermaier will man center field and hit second in the Rays' batting order Monday night.
Aug 21 2016Kiermaier (hip) went 1-for-1 after entering Sunday's game prior to the eighth inning as a defensive replacement.Kiermaier was not ready to play a full nine innings Sunday, but he was at least feeling good enough to see some action. With him able to take the field Sunday after sitting out a game, he should have a chance to return to the lineup in the Rays' next game Monday against the Red Sox.
Aug 21 2016Kiermaier (hip) entered Sunday's game prior to the eighth inning as a defensive replacement and went 1-for-1.Kiermaier was not ready to play a full nine innings Sunday, but he was at least feeling good enough to see some action. With him able to take the field Sunday after sitting out a game, he should have a chance to return to the lineup in the Rays' next game Monday against the Red Sox.
Aug 21 2016Kiermaier (hip) remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was removed from Friday's game due to hip tightness, and the ailment will end up costing him back-to-back starts, at least. Sunday would have been a good day to rest the center fielder anyway, however, as the Rays find themselves matched up against lefty Martin Perez. Consider Kiermaier day-to-day heading into Mondays series opener against the Red Sox.
Aug 20 2016Kiermaier (hip) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.Mikie Mahtook will take over in center field Saturday with Kiermaier nursing a sore hip. Kiermaier himself said earlier Saturday that he didn't expect to play after leaving Friday's tilt when his hip tightened up on him. He is considered day-to-day at this time, but it's unclear if his hip issues will clear up in time for him to rejoin the lineup Sunday.
Aug 20 2016Kiermaier (hip) doesn't expect to play in Saturday's matchup with the Rangers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was forced out of Friday's series opener due to hip tightness. He indicated Saturday that he still does not feel right, and does not anticipate playing. He should be considered day-to-day going forward.
Aug 19 2016Kiermaier was removed from Friday's game as a precaution with left hip tightness.The Rays noted that Kiermaier was removed for precautionary reasons, so there is reason to believe he is not dealing with any sort of serious setback. He could have a chance to play in the Rays' next game Saturday evening.
Aug 15 2016Kiermaier had an eventful day at the dish on Monday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, three RBI, and two stolen bases against the Padres.Kiermaier has now hit safely in six straight games, including three multi-hit performances. The outfielder has failed to live up to expectations after a strong showing a season ago, but is still threatening to post double-digit home runs in addition to his double-digit steals.
Aug 13 2016Kiermaier is back in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier sat out Friday's game while battling the flu, but he's since moved past the ailment and is back at his usual center field spot Saturday. The 26-year-old will bat second in the order behind leadoff man Logan Forsythe.
Aug 12 2016Kiermaier (illness) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees due to the flu, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Initial reports surfaced that stated Kiermaier was out with a knee injury, but the Rays officially said that he is on the bench Friday with the flu. Kiermaier is still available off the bench, and will likely return to the lineup Saturday.
Aug 12 2016Kiermaier (knee) is out of the lineup Friday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier said that his knee felt sore after Wednesday's contest against the Blue Jays, so he'll have the night off as the Rays opt to go with an outfield lineup of Corey Dickerson, Mikie Mahtook, and Steven Souza. There hasn't been any indication that Kiermaier suffered a serious injury, so it appears that the club is simply being cautious with the 26-year-old.
Aug 7 2016Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Twins, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Manager Kevin Cash relayed that it's just a routine day off for Kiermaier, who has gone hitless in his lat three games, spanning 13 at-bats. Mikie Mahtook will cover center field while Kiermaier sits out.
Aug 4 2016Kiermaier filled up the scoresheet Wednesday against Kansas City, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, two walks, a steal and two runs in a 12-0 blowout.A .263 hitter in each of his first two seasons, the center fielder is sitting on just a .222 average, but his increase in hard contact and decrease in BABIP (just .239) suggest he's seen some bad luck in this injury-shortened campaign. Kiermaier's walk rate has nearly tripled from last year, and if you prorate his six homers and 10 steals in 55 contests over 162 games, you get 17 long balls and 29 swipes. That should have owners in keeper leagues quietly picking him up with an eye on the future.
Jul 20 2016Kiermaier is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rockies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier will sit for the first time after the All-Star break, as the Rays go with Brandon Guyer in center field. He'll bat second in the order against the Rockies' Jorge De La Rosa.
Jul 15 2016Kiermaier (wrist) was activated from the DL and is back in the lineup Friday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.He will man center field and bat eighth against right-hander Yovani Gallardo in his first start back after missing nearly two months with multiple broken bones in his hand. Kiermaier was hitting for more power while striking out less and walking more before landing on the shelf, but some bad luck on balls in play has hurt his average to this point. The 26-year-old hasn't hit higher than seventh in a start this season.
Jul 13 2016Kiermaier (wrist) went 0-for-2 with a strikeout and walk in his first rehab appearance for the Gulf Coast Rays on Monday.Although he only got on base via a free pass, the far more important aspect of his appearance was that it he apparently emerged from it without any setbacks. Kiermaier is still scheduled to play for High-A Charlotte on both Wednesday and Thursday before potentially returning to the big league club when they kick off the second half versus the Orioles on Friday.
Jul 11 2016Kiermaier (wrist) will play in his first rehab game for the Gulf Coast League Rays on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The rehabbing outfielder will re-take the field for the first time since enduring fractures in his hand while attempting a diving catch on May 21. He's then scheduled to take live batting practice Tuesday from Brad Boxberger (oblique) and Chase Whitley (elbow), and subsequently play for High-A Charlotte on both Wednesday and Thursday, with an eye on rejoining the big league club on Friday. Although he's been progressing through rehab activities without any apparent setbacks, Kiermaier did reveal that a cortisone shot became necessary approximately two weeks ago to ease pain that he was feeling when taking his practice swings. "Once I got that cortisone shot a week and a half, two weeks ago, that was a game changer," Kiermaier said. "It feels good now."
Jul 9 2016Kiermaier (wrist) looked "great" while taking early batting practice before Friday's game according to manager Kevin Cash, and is on track for starting a minor league rehab assignment early next week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 27-year-old slugger has been progressing well through his rehab, and is expected to put in batting practice sessions over the weekend. Assuming no setbacks, Kiermaier is likely to start a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on either Monday or Tuesday.
Jul 7 2016Kiermaier (wrist) took live swings for the first time during his rehab process Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 27-year-old stepped in to the batter's box while fellow rehabbers Brad Boxberger (oblique) and Chase Whitley (elbow) threw off the mound at Tropicana Field. Kiermaier's goal remains to kick off a rehab assignment next week, which would place a July 15 return to the big league club for a three-game set against the Orioles within reach. Manager Kevin Cash seems to feel that the timeframe is a realistic one, noting that his young outfielder "looks healthy" and mainly needs to gets his timing back to pre-injury form.
Jul 5 2016Kiermaier (wrist) is targeting the Rays' series against the Orioles after the All-Star break for his return, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The Gold Glove center fielder is set to take batting practice later this week for the first time since landing on the disabled list with a broken wrist. He has already begun taking dry swings, but moving up to live BP is a significant step in the right direction. Provided that Kiermaier can keep progressing at this rate, he should be able to return during Tampa Bay's first series after the All-Star break.
Jun 26 2016Kiermaier (wrist) has started to take swings without a ball in his rehab, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 26-year-old outfielder has been progressively working his way back from May 24 surgery to repair multiple broken bones in his left hand. The most recent step of taking what's commonly referred to as "dry swings" against air is naturally an essential one, and marks the first time Kiermaier has handled a bat since the injury. To date, the young slugger appears on track to return within the original 8-to-10 week timetable provided after the procedure.
May 28 2016Kiermaier (hand) is particularly limited with respect to physical activity over the next few days following his hand surgery, Sam Blum of MLB.com reports.The Rays' outfielder is currently limited to just hand exercises and core rotations over the next five days, as any perspiration from more strenuous activity could easily lead to his partially-exposed surgical cut becoming infected. The 26-year-old reports feeling relatively pain-free following the procedure, with the exception of the loosening exercises he utilizes to loosen up the tendons in his hand. Kiermaier is being particularly diligent with his diet during the period of forced inactivity, and is trying to maintain a positive attitude ahead of his long absence. "Just being out for an extended period of time was tough for me to accept," Kiermaier said. "But I've accepted it now."
May 24 2016Kiermaier (hand) underwent successful surgery Tuesday and is still expected to miss 8-10 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The procedure to repair the broken bones in his left hand went without a hitch Tuesday, so he remains on track to return within the initially reported timeline of 8-10 weeks. In his absence, the Rays will likely use a mixture of Desmond Jennings, Mikie Mahtook, and Brandon Guyer to fill the void in center field.
May 23 2016Kiermaier (wrist) will have surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss 8-10 weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The 26-year-old was posting decent numbers for the Rays through 38 games this season, hitting .236 with five home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs, and six stolen bases. The outfielder will now miss significant time and shift his focus to recovering from surgery.
May 23 2016Kiermaier will have his broken left hand examined Monday in St. Petersburg by team specialist Dr. Doug Carlan, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The results of the exam will likely dictate whether or not Kiermaier will need surgery, which Topkin reports will be highly likely if the two fractures he suffered to the metacarpal bones on the back of the hand are displaced. Current estimates place the 26-year-old outfielder out for a minimum of two months, and his centerfield role is expected to be manned by a combination of Desmond Jennings and Mikie Mahtook in the process. Kiermaier is slashing .236/.307/.447 over 123 at-bats this season.
May 22 2016Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Tigers.He broke two bones in his hand Saturday and is facing an extended absence. Desmond Jennings will take over in center field.
May 22 2016Kiermaier (hand) was placed on the 15-day DL Sunday.Kiermaier, who was held out of Sunday's lineup, is facing an extended absence due to multiple fractures in his left hand. With no firm timetable for return, it appears Desmond Jennings will see an uptick in playing time until further notice.
May 21 2016Kiermaier exited Saturday's game against the Tigers with an apparent wrist injury, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier suffered the injury on a diving attempt going after a James McCann fly ball. As he landed, he appeared to roll over with his arm pinned underneath him. He immediately left the field and headed for the clubhouse while favoring his left wrist. Desmond Jennings has entered the game to take Kiermaier's place in center, and if Kiermaier's injury proves to be serious, the Rays will be without one of the best defensive center fielders in the game. More information on Kiermaier's status figures to be made available later Saturday.
May 21 2016Kiermaier has been diagnosed with two fractures in his left hand, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.This is devastating news for Kiermaier and the Rays as it appears that the star outfielder will miss a significant amount of time. He suffered the injury on a diving play in center field during Saturday's game when he landed awkwardly on his glove hand. He is set to be reevaluated in St. Petersburg on Monday, at which point the Rays should have a timeline available. Desmond Jennings will likely take over in center field while Kiermaier is sidelined, but Topkin is also reporting that outfielder Mikie Mahtook could be a candidate to be recalled.
May 21 2016Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a bases-clearing triple in Friday's 7-5 victory over the Tigers.The 26-year-old broke a 3-3 deadlock by blasting a shot to deep right that plated Evan Longoria, Steve Pearce and Logan Morrison. Kiermaier is currently stuck near the bottom of the order, but he has an eight-game hitting streak and an impressive 10 RBI in May.
May 18 2016Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, walk and three runs scored in Tuesday's 12-2 victory over the Blue Jays.The light has seemingly gone on for the Rays offense as a whole the last couple of games, and Kiermaier was no exception to the rule in Tuesday's blowout win. The performance marked his first multi-hit effort since back on April 29 versus this same Blue Jays squad, and extended his current hitting streak to six games. Despite the stellar outing, the 26-year-old has actually taken a step back in May, with his season average dropping 11 points to .239 to date this month.
May 4 2016Kiermaier is out of the lineup Wednesday, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.Kiermaier has turned things around a bit since a rough start, but he'll get a day off in the series finale with the Dodgers. Brandon Guyer will take over for him in center field Wednesday.
Apr 26 2016Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's win over the Orioles.The shot off Ubaldo Jimenez in the sixth inning broke a 1-1 tie and proved to be the deciding factor in the Rays' win. After a slow start, Kiermaier has turned it on over the past week or so, going 9-for-28 with three home runs over his last eight games. He continues to bat eighth against right-handed pitching.
Apr 24 2016Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a solo homer in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Yankees.The 26-year-old continued his recent hot streak, and has now hit safely in five straight games. Kiermaier is hitting .388 (7-for-18) over that span, with three doubles, two homers,two RBI and a walk.
Apr 22 2016Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.The 26-year-old started Thursday against lefty David Price, but is out of the lineup Friday against CC Sabathia, on his birthday no less. Kiermaier is just 1-for-11 against southpaws so far this season. Brandon Guyer will man center field and bat second with Desmond Jennings returning to left field.
Apr 21 2016Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Red Sox.The 25-year-old has started to come on, now carrying a modest three-game hitting streak, with Wednesday's effort also serving as his first multi-hit effort since Apr. 4 versus the Blue Jays. Kiermaier is encouragingly hitting .364 (4-for-11) with a homer, RBI and two runs scored over the last three contests, providing what has been a rather punchless Rays offense so far with some badly-needed production.
Apr 20 2016Kiermaier's 10th-inning home run broke a scoreless tie and led the Rays to a 2-0 victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday.After falling behind right-hander Matt Barnes early, Kiermaier fouled off a few pitches before driving a 2-2 curveball deep into the right field seats. It was the 25-year-old's first homer of 2016, and just his second extra-base hit through 33 at-bats. The center fielder is off to a slow start, slashing just .182/.308/.303, but Tuesday's game-winning home run may be just what Kiermaier needs to get his 2016 campaign rolling.
Apr 17 2016Kiermaier (head) is back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.The Rays ended up holding Kiermaier out of Saturday's game when he was forced to leave Friday's series opener after colliding with teammate Logan Forsythe. Though Kiermaier exited early, he passed all concussion tests and looks to be good to go after the day off. He'll occupy the eighth spot in the order Sunday and assume his usual duties in center field.
Apr 16 2016Kiermaier (head) is out of the lineup Saturday but will be available off the bench, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was involved in a collision with Logan Forsythe on a fly ball Friday that forced both players out of the game. While neither player is in the lineup Saturday, they'll both be available off the bench, indicating that they're day-to-day. Brandon Guyer will take Kiermaier's post in center field Saturday.
Apr 15 2016Kiermaier said he went through standard concussion protocol after exiting Friday's game and said he feels fine and will be "good to go," MLB.com's Alyson Footer reports.He was involved in an outfield collision, but said his jaw took the impact in the collision, and suggested that he'll be good to go. That doesn't necessarily mean the Rays will run him out for Saturday's game, but he appears to have avoided a concussion and should be back in the lineup soon.
Apr 15 2016Kiermaier was knocked out of Friday's tilt with the White Sox following a collision after chasing a fly ball, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier collided with Logan Forsythe while both were chasing down a fly ball. The severity of the collision was enough to force each player to exit the game. Kiermaier has been replaced in the lineup by Corey Dickerson. Expect an update on his status when more information becomes available.
Apr 4 2016Kiermaier got on base all four times up Monday, knocking three singles, drawing a walk and driving in a run against the Blue Jays.The Rays fell to 0-2, but you certainly couldn't pin that on their center fielder. Kiermaier's off to a nice start, and if he can improve his batting average from the twin .263 marks he's posted in his first two seasons, that could really make his combination of moderate power and decent speed play up. And at almost 26 years old, he's approaching what should be his power peak, although it's not exactly going to be Mount Everest.
Mar 28 2016Kiermaier is focused on becoming a better all-around player by significantly improving at the plate in 2016, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Already a stellar defensive player going into his third major league season, Kiermaier is striving to carry over the momentum he generated in the last seven weeks of the 2015 campaign. The 25-year-old Gold Glover produced a .311/.352/.480 line after Aug. 11, following a right thumb injury. "When the Mets came into town [in August] and I hurt my thumb, I was so much better from there on out," said Kiermaier. "I finally figured out what I want to do with my approach and my swing.
Mar 16 2016Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a solo homer in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Phillies.The multi-tool outfielder finally broke the long-ball ice in spring training, blasting an Aaron Nola pitch in the fifth inning. Despite the initial homer drought, Kiermaier has gotten off to an outstanding start in the exhibition slate, now hitting .364 with a homer and five RBI over 22 at-bats. The speedy 25-year-old has already swiped two bases as well, and has the potential to be a prolific source of fantasy production in his fourth season. In addition to solid numbers in the categories of doubles (25), homers (10), RBI (40) and stolen bases (18) last season, Kiermaier legged out an outstanding 12 triples, behind only the Twins' Eddie Rosario for the major-league lead.
Oct 3 2015Kiermaier will not play in Sunday's season finale after his back tightened up during Saturday's game, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.While the severity of the injury isn't known at this time, it's unlikely Kiermaier suffered any sort of serious injury considering he was removed before his final at bat of the night. He should be plenty rested by the time spring training rolls around next year.
Sep 27 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.With southpaw Mark Buehrle on the hill for Toronto, the Rays will sit several of their key lefty bats, including Kiermaier. Mikie Mahtook picks up the start in center field in Kiermaier's absence.
Sep 26 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-4 Saturday with three runs scored, two RBI and his 10th home run of the season.It's his second home run in three games, and Kiermaier is now slashing a solid .284/.338/.446 in 74 September at-bats.
Sep 24 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk against Boston on Thursday.He was also caught stealing, but still, that's two outstanding games in a row for Kiermaier since he sat out of Tuesday's lineup. He's 5-for-7 with a homer, two steals, an RBI and two runs in the last two games.
Sep 23 2015Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with two steals and a run against the Rays on Wednesday.The steals were his first in the month of September. Kiermaier's done just enough to remain useful in AL-only leagues, but that's about the extent of his fantasy value, though his size and decent contact skills offer some longer-term promise.
Sep 22 2015Kiermaier in not in Tuesday's lineup.It looks like a routine day off for Kiermaier, as the Rays will go with Mikie Mahtook in center field versus Boston starter Henry Owens.
Sep 18 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup Friday, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Bay Tribune reports.It looks like just a routine night off for Kiermaier, who will be replaced by Mikie Mahtook in center field. Mahtook will get a prime opportunity, batting second in the order against Orioles righty Tyler Wilson.
Sep 9 2015Kiermaier is not in Wednesday's lineup, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.It looks like a scheduled day off for Kiermaier, who will cede center field duties to Brandon Guyer on Wednesday. Guyer will hit in the leadoff spot as the Rays face a lefty, Kyle Lobstein, for the third straight day.
Sep 2 2015Kiermaier (ankle) is back in the lineup Wednesday agains the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier rolled his ankle after making a spectacular catch in center field Monday, and the ailment kept him out of the lineup Tuesday. He's back at his usual center field spot Wednesday and will bat eighth.
Sep 1 2015Kiermaier (ankle) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Orioles.The outfielder made a sensational catch to rob Manny Machado of a home run Monday, but he paid a price, suffering a mild ankle sprain on the landing. Kiermaier is out Tuesday as a result of the injury, replaced in center by Brandon Guyer, but the Rays are listing Kiermaier as day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's series finale in Baltimore.
Aug 31 2015Kiermaier left Monday's game with a mild ankle sprain after making a first-inning catch, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier went 0-for-1 with a strikeout before departing, with Daniel Nava replacing him in the lineup and playing right field while Brandon Guyer shifted to center. The 25-year-old has been hot lately, though, having homered in consecutive games entering Monday's action, and it sounds like he won't miss very much time with this ailment.
Aug 30 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-4 Saturday with his sixth home run and 16th stolen base of the season.After stealing just five bases in nine attempts as a rookie, Kiermaier's improved success rate (16 for 19) this season is more in line with his minor league performances on the base paths. Still just 25 years old, he could yet improve on his .262/.304/.430 career slash line down the road, but his speed should give him a decent fantasy baseline.
Aug 26 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in a 5-3 loss to the Twins on Wednesday.Kiermaier is now hitting .321 in August, continuing his curious trend of excelling at the plate on alternating months throughout 2015. The second-year outfielder showcased his speed with a fifth-inning triple and eventually scored on a Grady Sizemore single to break a 1-1 tie. Kiermaier has shown improvement in strikeout rate and stolen bases this season while experiencing regression in homers and RBI, an inconsistency common in players of his experience level.
Aug 23 2015Kiermaier will receive the day off Sunday against the Athletics, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier's day off comes on the heels of a 0-for-4 night at the plate (including two strikeout) Saturday. He's been hitting well on the month, however, batting .279/.310/.368 with one home run and nine RBI. Brandon Guyer will replace him in center field Sunday, batting eighth for the Rays.
Aug 19 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup Wednesday against Houston, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier will get the day off against left-hander Dallas Keuchel, as the Rays go with a starting outfield of Desmond Jennings, Brandon Guyer and Daniel Nava.
Aug 11 2015Kiermaier (thumb) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Braves, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier was held out of Tampa Bay's last game Sunday with a sore thumb, but the setback will not cost him more than the lone game. Kiermaier will man center field and hit eighth Tuesday night against Braves starter Williams Perez.
Aug 9 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mets due to a sore and swollen thumb, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier jammed the thumb during Saturday's game when he slid into second base following a two-run single in the first inning. The outfielder was unable to grip a bat Sunday morning, but said he would be available for defensive purposes later in the afternoon if needed. The Rays will have an off day Monday, which may afford Kiermaier enough recovery time to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Braves.
Aug 4 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.Kiermaier has seen the bulk of the work in center field this season, but he'll take a seat Tuesday as Brandon Guyer makes a spot start. Kiermaier will likely be available as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement, should the need arise.
Jul 31 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Bill Chastain.The left-handed Kiermaier will be held out with the Rays starting a lineup full of right-handed hitters against Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez. Brandon Guyer will get the start in center field Friday night.
Jul 29 2015Kiermaier (eye) is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier suffered an eye abrasion prior to Monday's game, but he was able to take the field that day and has not missed a start since, so it appears the setback was a non-issue. Kiermaier will cover center field and hit eighth Wednesday afternoon.
Jul 27 2015Kiermaier suffered a minor abrasion of the left eye prior to Monday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.He still played, however, going 1-for-3 with an RBI double before departing, with Brandon Guyer stepping into center field in his place. This doesn't sound like a major issue, but Kiermaier may miss a day or two while his eye heals up.
Jul 26 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier has started eight of the last nine games for manager Kevin Cash, but will sit Sunday in favor of Brandon Guyer in center field. Cash will once again be playing matchups, giving the left-handed bat a day off with southpaw Wei-Yin Chen on the hill for the opposing Orioles.
Jul 22 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.Kiermaier started 18 of the last 19 games in center field, but with him owning just a .586 against left-handers on the season, he will be held out in favor of Brandon Guyer with the Rays facing Phillies southpaw Adam Morgan on Wednesday afternoon.
Jul 11 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Saturday against the Astros, the Tampa Tribune's Roger Mooney reports.With lefty Dallas Keuchel on the mound for Houston, the Rays will give Kiermaier the day off. His offensive numbers don't really stand out, but his defense is excellent in center field, and he has already been worth three wins this year according to Fangraphs, so he should continue to serve as the Rays' primary center fielder.
Jun 29 2015Kiermaier will start in center field and bat leadoff Monday against the Indians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.After sitting for the past two games to give Brandon Guyer and Grady Sizemore some at-bats, Kiermaier returns to the starting lineup against the right-handed Cody Anderson. He's hitting .265 on the season with 25 of his 63 hits going for extra bases including six triples. He's also stolen eight bases in nine tries this season.
Jun 28 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier usually finds himself at the top of the order against right-handed pitchers such as Boston's Justin Masterson, but with manager Kevin Cash wanting to get a glimpse at the newly added Grady Sizemore, there's not enough space in the lineup. Considering that Sizemore struggled mightily with the Phillies earlier this season and looks to be nearing the end of his career, it doesn't appear that Kiermaier's hold on the large end of the center-field platoon is threatened.
Jun 27 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Saturday against Boston.Kiermaier will get the day off Saturday with lefty Wade Miley on the mound for the Red Sox. He has actually hit southpaw starters well this season with a .350 batting average over 40 at-bats, but the Rays will use righty Brandon Guyer in center for Saturday's contest.
Jun 14 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Manager Kevin Cash will continue with his platoon arrangement in center field, as Kiemaier hits the bench while Brandon Guyer draws the start against the left-handed Chris Sale.
Jun 13 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a triple and two runs scored Saturday against the White Sox.The Indiana native has apparently enjoyed his time against the ChiSox, as he's posted consecutive two-hit games now. He's got just enough pop and speed to be useful in AL-only leagues and very deep mixers, but not much of anywhere else.
Jun 12 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Friday, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.Mikie Mahtook is getting the start in center field with John Danks on the hill for the White Sox. Kiermaier has not hit well enough this season to get the benefit of the doubt when southpaws are on the mound (for the most part), but he still offers some value in deeper leagues.
Jun 7 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.With the Rays facing their fifth left-handed starter in six games, Kiermaier's at-bats have been somewhat scarce of late. He'll give way to Mikie Mahtook in center field for the series finale.
Jun 7 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with a triple, a walk, two steals and a run scored in a 2-1 loss to the Mariners on Saturday.Kiermaier was the only Ray who could figure out Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, as the rest of the team recorded only a single hit. The youngster has secured a spot as the leadoff hitter against right-handers, so he's a sneaky play in daily leagues when the Rays draw a righty. Unfortunately, they draw three lefties in six games next week, so Kiermaier will likely see limited at-bats.
Jun 4 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Thursday's game in Seattle, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.Kiemaier will take a seat once again, with the Rays facing a left-handed starter for a third straight game. Unfortunately for Kiermaier's owners, the Rays are also scheduled to face southpaws in seven of the next 10 games after Thursday. This is one of the the most lefty-heavy stretches of a schedule any team will face all season.
Jun 2 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.The Rays will deploy a right-heavy lineup with lefty C.J. Wilson on the mound for the Angels on Tuesday. Kiermaier may get another day off Wednesday with lefty Hector Santiago taking the ball for the Halos. Mikie Mahtook will get the start in center field and hit eighth Tuesday.
May 30 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Orioles, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.It's unclear at the moment if Kiermaier is getting some standard rest or is still feeling the ankle injury, but him coming back Sunday or pinch hitting Saturday would go a long way in alleviating any nagging injury concerns. Brandon Guyer will pick up Kiermaier's role, playing center field and batting leadoff.
May 27 2015Hernandez (8-1) pitched a four-hitter Wednesday for his second shutout of the season, striking out eight and walking one at Tampa Bay.Hernandez needed just 101 pitches (71 strikes) for the complete game, and he was strong to the end, striking out the last two batters. He allowed only two runners to reach as far as second base and induced 14 groundball outs, including four double plays. Hernandez has allowed more than two runs in just two of 10 starts this year, and both of those were because of minor injuries. He's allowed one run or fewer in six starts. The MLB leader in wins, Hernandez lowered his ERA to 1.91.
May 22 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Friday.Brandon Guyer gets the start in center field as the Rays deploy a righty-heavy lineup against southpaw Scott Kazmir. Kiermaier is only getting on base at a .285 clip, but he is slugging .419 and his defense will keep him in the lineup most days.
May 8 2015Kiermaier hit a solo home run and RBI groundout in Friday's loss to the Rangers.Kiermaier has struggled in May after an excellent April, hitting .167/.231/.333 across 24 plate appearances. His average is now down to .267 from a high of .306, but his power is at least making up for it with three home runs and 12 total extra-base hits this season.
Apr 30 2015Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.Kiermaier is wrapping up an excellent month of April, in which he's hitting .306/.338/.565 with 11 runs and seven RBI. The 25-year-old is still limited fantasy-wise given a lack of stolen bases and home runs, but he's at least establishing himself as a person the Rays are fine with trotting out nearly every day.
Apr 25 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Saturday.With lefty Daniel Norris on the mound for the Blue Jays, the A's will attempt to flood the lineup with righties, leaving Kiermaier on the bench. He will be available later in the game as a pinch-hitter or as a defensive replacement. Desmond Jennings will slide over to center field with Brandon Guyer starting in left.
Apr 22 2015Kiermaier (illness) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox.Kiermaier had been out of the lineup each of the previous three games as he dealt with an illness, but he appears to be over the ailment now. The 25-year-old will assume center field duties and bat eighth in the lineup.
Apr 21 2015Kiermaier (illness), who is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, said he is 100 percent healthy, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay TImes reports.Kiermaier is only out of the lineup because the Rays are facing a left-handed starter. He'll be available off the bench and will likely get in to the game.
Apr 21 2015Kiermaier (illness) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Tribune reports.With the Rays facing Red Sox lefty Wade Miley, it's possible Kiermaier's absence from the lineup has nothing to do with the illness that bothered him over the weekend. On the other hand, Tampa Bay is using Rene Rivera as the designated hitter, which is far from optimal even with the platoon advantage.
Apr 19 2015Kiermaier (illness) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees, Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier continues to deal with an illness, which will hold him out of the starting lineup for the second straight game. He should be available off the bench if needed for a short burst late in the game, but manager Kevin Cash will roll with Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings and Steven Souza in the outfield to start things off.
Apr 18 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Saturday against the Yankees, Steve Carney of WDAE 620 AM Tampa reports.Apparently, Kiermaier is not feeling well, though manager Kevin Cash did say the outfielder may be available later in the game. Desmond Jennings will return to center field Saturday as David DeJesus leads off against right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.
Apr 14 2015Kiermaier is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.With left-hander Daniel Norris on the bump for Toronto, manager Kevin Cash has stacked his lineup with right-handed bats. Brandon Guyer will get the nod in left field and lead off Tuesday, with Desmond Jennings in center and Steven Souza in right. Kiermaier has jumped around the order in the early going but should be in there against all right-handers moving forward.
Apr 7 2015Kiermaier is a late addition to the Rays' lineup Tuesday.After James Loney was scratched after suffering a minor injury during batting practice, Kiermaier was slotted into the new lineup in center field. Unfortunately Kiermaier remains at the back of the Rays' lineup in the nine hole, which will continue to limit his value going forward.
Apr 7 2015Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, MASN's Roch Kubatko reports.With southpaw Wei-Yin Chen on the mound for Baltimore, Brandon Guyer is leading off and starting in left field, while Desmond Jennings will slide over to center field. This will likely be the normal alignment against lefties, with Kiermaier in center and Jennings in left against right-handers. Kiermaier batted ninth on Opening Day, but with John Jaso (wrist) expected to miss the next few games, Kiermaier could be a candidate to bat leadoff against right-handed pitching.
Mar 11 2015Kiermaier is slated to primarily play center field for the Rays in 2015, the Tampa Tribune's R. Mooney reports.This is just a bookkeeping note, as it was previously believed Kiermaier would see most of the work in left field. Desmond Jennings will instead be the primary left fielder and will also be Kiermaier's backup in center.
Sep 27 2014Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Indians.Kiermaier will get a day off after starting the last three games. Ben Zobrist will cover center field for the Rays on Saturday.
Sep 24 2014Kiermaier (illness) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier sat out Tuesday's game due to illness, but apparently it was just a 24-hour bug, as he's set to return Wednesday to face right-hander Anthony Ranaudo. The 24-year-old will look to collect his first extra-base hit since Sept. 9.
Sep 23 2014Kiermaier is out of the lineup Tuesday due to illness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.With Kiermaier under the weather, Ben Zobrist will be tasked with patrolling center field for a second straight game. Kiermaier is likely no worse than day-to-day, but he should be considered questionable for Wednesday's tilt.
Sep 23 2014Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Bill Chastain.Kiermaier, who has tallied just four hits since Sept. 9, will not start for the second straight game. Ben Zobrist will cover center field for the Rays on Tuesday.
Sep 21 2014Kiermaier is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.Kiermaier will be held out with the Rays going with a righty-heavy lineup against White Sox starter John Danks. Ben Zobrist will cover center field for the Rays in Kiermaier's place.
Sep 10 2014Kiermaier is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.With lefty Chris Capuano on the mound for the Yankees, manager Joe Maddon will counter with a lineup consisting of eight right-handed batters, with Kiermaier moving to the bench as a consequence. Valued primarily for his glove heading into the season, Kiermaier has surprisingly proven capable at the dish this season as well, slashing .272/.324/.472 with 10 homers and five stolen bases over 319 plate appearances.
Aug 27 2014Kiermaier (neck) is back in the lineup Wednesday against the Orioles, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier was kept out of the lineup for the second straight game Tuesday more as a precaution than anything, after he reported significant improvement with his stiff neck. He'll assume his usual defensive responsibilities in right field Wednesday night.
Aug 26 2014Kiermaier's stiff neck is improved, but he remains out of the lineup Tuesday at Baltimore, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier is hopeful that he'll be able to return to the starting lineup Wednesday, but Wil Myers is covering right field Tuesday for a second contest in a row.
Aug 25 2014Kiermaier's neck is stiff as a result of a headfirst slide into second base Sunday at Toronto, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.After the seventh-inning play Sunday, Kiermaier played in the field for two frames, before manager Bud Black sent in Brandon Guyer to pinch hit in the top of the ninth. Meanwhile, Kiermaier started August 7-for-58 at the plate, but since sitting out last Thursday, he's notched six hits (including three doubles), one RBI, and one run scored in nine at-bats.
Aug 21 2014Kiermaier is not in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier has started the last nine games, but Ben Zobrist will slide over to right field Thursday, joining Brandon Guyer and Desmond Jennings in the starting outfield. After a strong month of July, Kiermaier is hitting just .121 (7-or-58) in August.
Aug 12 2014Kiermaier (back) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.A bout of lower back tightness resulted in Kiermaier's early exit from Monday's game, but it looks like he won't even miss a start. Kiermaier is set to man right field and bat ninth Tuesday against right-hander Nick Tepesch, as he looks to improve upon his 5-for-31 mark (.161 average) for the month of August.
Aug 11 2014Updating a previous report, Kiermaier left Monday's game due to lower back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier appears to have left the game for precautionary reasons, so an extended absence isn't expected. If manager Joe Maddon decides to give him some extra time to rest, look for Ben Zobrist to handle right field, which would give Logan Forsythe additional reps at second base.
Aug 11 2014Kiermaier left Monday's game with an undisclosed injury, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Kiermaier apparently suffered the injury while running out a triple in the bottom of the sixth, as he was pulled from the game in the next half inning. It would seem that he might have tweaked his ankle or possibly a hamstring, but the Rays should clarify the extent of the injury after the game.
Aug 10 2014Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cubs, MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports.Kiermaier will sit as the Rays load up right-handed bats against the lefty Travis Wood. He will yield Sunday's start to Sean Rodriguez in left field, who will bat in the cleanup spot for the Rays.
Aug 8 2014Kiermaier is out of the lineup Friday against the Cubs.Kiermaier has started three straight for the Rays, but will give way to Ben Zobrist in right field, while Brandon Guyer takes over in left. Kiermaier is just 3-for-20 at the dish to start the month of August, but he homered in Thursday's game and owns a .288 batting average on the season.
Aug 6 2014Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the A's.Wednesday's effort was certainly encouraging, as Kiermaier came into the contest mired in a 6-for-36 slump across his last 13 games. The rookie outfielder has certainly slowed down at the plate so far in the second half and could be quickly headed for a decrease in playing time with both Wil Myers (wrist) and David DeJesus (hand) possibly returning soon.
Jul 19 2014Kiermaier isn't in the lineup Saturday at Minnesota.After a tortoise-like start to the month -- 0-for-his-first-15 -- Kiermaier has been hitting the cover off the ball ever since, posting a premier .441 average (15-for-34), one homer, two triples, two doubles, 11 RBI, eight runs, one steal, and two walks versus four strikeouts. Alas, he'll yield right field to Ben Zobrist, while Brandon Guyer takes on left.
Jul 12 2014Kiermaier continued to rake Saturday, going 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI in a win over the visiting Blue Jays.That's the outfielder's fourth game with three hits or more in the last two weeks, and he's now 12-for-27 (.444) with 11 RBI and five runs over his last seven games. Kiermaier has been terrific while receiving regular playing time with Wil Myers (wrist) shelved, so you may want to assess your lineup to see if you have room for the sophomore once MLB play resumes after the upcoming All-Star break.
Jul 9 2014Kiermaier went 4-for-4 with a grand slam home run in the fourth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Royals.Kiermaier has made 14 straight starts for Joe Maddon and the Rays, and has been taking advantage of the consistent playing time. Although he entered the day with a .129 July batting average, the 24-year-old picked up his second multi-hit game of the month, bringing his season average up to .297. If Kiermaier can continue to produce like this, he may make things tough on Maddon once Wil Myers (wrist) makes his return from the disabled list.
Jul 1 2014Kiermaier went 3-for-5 with a solo homer in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees.Make it three consecutive games with a home run for Kiermaier, as the young outfielder continues his strong rookie campaign. Ranked as the organization's No. 10 prospect by MLB.com, the 24 year old has seen regular playing time over the last few weeks due to injuries in the Rays' outfield and has certainly taken advantage of the opportunity. Since June 5, Kiermaier has posted a strong .322/.368/.598 slash line with 13 extra-base hits, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored across 96 plate appearances.
Jun 28 2014Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI Saturday.Kiermaier's two hits put his average back over the .300 mark on the season. He also added his fifth home run of the season, giving the team their fourth and fifth runs of the day in what ultimately turned out to be the winning run. He will look to keep things rolling the rest of the season after giving the team a productive month of June thus far.
Jun 22 2014Kiermaier is not in the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Steve Carney of WDAE 620 AM reports.Manager Joe Maddon is overloading his lineup with right-handed bats in an attempt to counter opposing lefty Dallas Keuchel, who has established himself as one of the league's better hurlers this season. As a result, left-handed hitters Kiermaier, James Loney and Matt Joyce find themselves out of the lineup, with Logan Forsythe, Sean Rodriguez and Jerry Sands stepping in to the starting nine.
Jun 19 2014Kiermaier smacked a two-run homer in Thursday's 5-0 win over Houston.Kiermaier is more known for his stellar defense, but he's been flashing power as well, with 14 extra-base hits in just 76 at-bats. He's currently seeing a lot of playing time in right field, so continue to ride the youngster.
Jun 5 2014Kiermaier went 3-for-3 with a homer, a walk and a steal in Thursday's loss to Miami.Kiermaier came with a positive scouting report on his glove, but his bat's been equally impressive. With significant playing time in right field on tap, Kiermaier should be a nice AL-only asset while Wil Myers is out, and relevant in some deeper mixers as well.
Jun 3 2014Kiermaier and Ben Zobrist will platoon in right field while Wil Myers (wrist) is on the disabled list, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.The decision all but assures Zobrist will find a place in the lineup everyday, with Kiermaier likely facing right-handers, against whom he's slashed .364/.364/.909 in an admittedly small sample size (11 at-bats). Expect the platoon to last most, if not all, of Myers' 5-to-6 week stay on the DL due to a stress fracture in right wrist.
May 31 2014Kiermaier went 2-for-3 with the Rays' lone RBI -- an inside-the-park home run -- in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park.The recently recalled Kiermaier's eighth-inning inside-the-parker was a wacky one, as the ball ricocheted off the Green Monster and smacked center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. right in the face, leaving him dazed on the ground with a bloody nose. He now has five hits season (two of them homers) and three RBI in 15 at-bats through three separate stints in the majors this season.
May 28 2014Kiermaier was recalled by the Rays on Wednesday, Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times reports.The stint will mark Kiermaier's third of the season, after tallying three hits, including a homer, in 12 previous at-bats. Expect him to garner some time in center field during his current stay with the Rays.
May 21 2014Kiermaier was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier went 3-for-12 with a home run during his brief stint with the Rays. With plenty of other outfield options on the roster, Kiermaier was deemed expendable when the team needed a roster spot for Alex Cobb, who is lined up to start Thursday's game. Look for Kiermaier's name to be called once again if outfield depth is needed down the stretch.
May 18 2014Kiermaier will make his second straight start in center field Sunday against the Angels, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune reports.Desmond Jennings' placement on the bereavement list after Friday's game has opened the door for Kiermaier to pick up playing time, but it doesn't figure to last especially long. As soon as Jennings is activated, Kiermaier could be bound for the minors.
May 17 2014Kiermaier was recalled by the Rays the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.Kiermaier takes the place on the Rays' roster of Desmond Jennings who was placed on the bereavement list. Jennings is expected to rejoin the Rays on Tuesday, so Kiermaier's stay in the majors is likely to be short.
Apr 12 2014Kiermaier was optioned to Triple-A Durham after Saturday's game, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Making his first career start Saturday against Alfredo Simon on the Reds, Kiermaier went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, but he did make a very nice throw from center field to nab Joey Votto at the plate in the fourth inning. He wasn't expected to be up for long, and the Rays have a crowded outfield, but Kiermaier figures to get another opportunity with the major league club at some point later this season.
Apr 12 2014Kiermaier will start in center field and bat sixth for the Rays on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.Kiermaier gets the start in center field with the Rays giving Wil Myers the day off. As long as the Rays' other outfielders remain healthy, Kiermaier will not see many at-bats.
Apr 12 2014Kiermaier will start in center field and bat sixth for the Rays on Satuday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.Kiermaier gets the start in center field with the Rays giving Wil Myers the day off. As long as the Rays' other outfielders remain healthy, Kiermaier will not see many at-bats.
Apr 10 2014Kiermaier will be recalled by the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.Kiermaier hit .278 with a home run and three RBI this spring, and it looks as if he'll soon be joining the Rays' outfield. The Rays have solid depth at this position, so don't expect Kiermaier to see consistent playing time.
Feb 28 2014Kiermaier went 0-for-3 in Friday's exhibition game against the Orioles.Kiermaier made his surprising debut late in the season for the Rays and is widely regarded as the best defensive player in the entire organization. There is a crowd of outfielders at the major league level and his bat needs some development, but his glove could bring him up to majors in 2014. He played in 39 games last season for Triple-A Durham and it seems a likely destination at the beginning of the season for the centerfield prospect.
Sep 30 2013Kiermaier's contract was selected from Triple-A Durham on Monday, the Tampa Bay Times reports.In a combined 136 games at Durham and Double-A Montgomery this season, Kiermaier has hit .295/.362/.423 with six homers, 41 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 21 steals (in 33 attempts). He'll add a defensive presence to a Rays outfield boasting a limited Desmond Jennings (hamstring) for Monday's play-in game at Texas.
Jun 30 2013Kiermaier, 23, is batting .318/.379/.446 with three home runs, 24 RBI and 13 steals through 79 games for Double-A Montgomery.Though Kiermaier doesn't have much power and only has slightly-above-average speed on the base paths, his defense has drawn rave reviews from the Tampa organization. While this may not seem like much help to fantasy owners, it could allow him to get up to the big leagues with a chance to contribute sooner rather than later.