Longtime Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was replaced in the third inning of tonight’s matchup against the Yankees. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that left Achilles inflammation was the reason Kiermaier was unable to return to the field. The club is likely to reveal more details about the injury in the coming days.
While tonight’s exit may go down as little more than a hiccup in what has been a generally healthy season for the center fielder, any injury news concerning a player with as checkered an injury past as Kiermaier is worth mentioning. The timing of these tendon troubles, should they linger, comes at a fairly inopportune for the 32-year-old as well. Through 52 games the veteran has slashed .225/.260/.385 (90 OPS+) with a surprising seven home runs and five stolen bases (in six attempts).
While that offensive output measures up surprisingly well to the other generally cold bats around the league, there’s no doubt Kiermaier and the Rays have hoped for offensive numbers closer to his career norms. More concerning however, is how the former Platinum Glove winner is faring defensively. Defensive metrics ranging from Outs Above Average to Defensive Runs Saved all peg Kiermaier as a middling to slightly above average center fielder this season, a far cry from his elite 2021 play. There’s plenty of time left in the season for defensive metrics, which are notoriously high variance, to paint the portrait of Kiermaier as an elite defensive outfielder. Still, any lower body injury figures to negatively affect Kiermaier’s top-of-the-charts speed and defensive performance.
Kiermaier remains under club control with the Rays through 2023 via a $13MM club option. The likelihood of that option getting picked up, or any free agent interest in the event it’s declined, figure to take a hit if tonight’s injury proves significant. Defensive wizards with passable bats can still collect on short-term deals, as Andrelton Simmons did with the Twins last season, but any prolonged injury would represent a disappointing conclusion to Kiermaier’s contract following last year’s strong campaign.
He just can’t catch a break.
He can catch everything, but
Don’t say “break”!!!
I thought about that after the 5 minutes.
Bring up Lowe!
Agreed. Although I wouldnt be surprised to see them shift Margot to CF then put Luke Raley at a corner. He’s doing decent in AAA, and much better with the bat when compared to Lowe.
True, but Lowe was one of the primary reasons they were able to pull the trigger on the Austin Meadows deal. Incidentally, what happened to all the Tiger fans, crowing over how the Rays got swindled?
The Phillies and Rays should line up on a trade. I don’t know why Philly acts like you can play with 9 DH’s
I LOLed at that! =)
Trade proposal (following the path of other fans on here with logical trade ideas):
Kiermaier, Brujan, and Yarborough for Bryce Harper.
Who says no?
(I am obviously kidding here, folks…)
Harrison Bader will take the throne. He sure gets hurt and hits like him. lol
The Rays should stay close enough to get into the Playoffs and make a run then.
Very inconsistent up to this point.
Tuning into Rays games and watching KK play defense was always entertaining.
Waited too long to trade him.
Were there any takers? Pretty sure they tried to move him, found nothing worthwhile…I am not in the FO, so don’t know for sure, but I think they would have moved him if there were a serious taker.
I know the site writer’s want to be polite but there is zero chance a 13 million dollar option for 2023 will be picked up….
Possibly the most ridiculously overpaid player in MLB. Sub par hitter despite 7 HRs and if his once-stellar defense has eroded? Good luck to the Death Rays trying to move him.
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The man has played hard for years. This is what happens when the wear and tear on the body actually turns into a tear. Hopefully the Achilles heals before it snaps.