Kiermaier's X-rays negative (foot) after HBP
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ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier was removed from Monday afternoon¡¯s 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays with right foot discomfort, the team announced.
Blue Jays pitcher Thomas Hatch hit Kiermaier on his right foot in the sixth inning, which is believed to be the reason why the outfielder was removed from the game. Kiermaier played center field in the seventh, but he was replaced by Manuel Margot in the eighth.
The good news for the Rays, however, is that X-rays were negative for Kiermaier.
¡°I think we¡¯re penciled in to face a left-hander tomorrow and we¡¯ll probably give him the day [off],¡± said manager Kevin Cash. "We¡¯ll see if we can rest it and be available later."
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Kiermaier was 0-for-2 at the plate, but the outfielder has been much better offensively as of late. He came into Monday¡¯s game batting .314 (11-for-35) in his past 10 games, raising his batting average from .171 to .237.
Aside from his offensive production, Kiermaier¡¯s value comes with his defense. He is tied for third in the Majors with six Defensive Runs Saved and his four outfield assists are tied for second most in the big leagues. Kiermaier showed off his stellar defense again in the series finale, robbing Danny Jansen of a hit in the second inning.
Kiermaier traveled 78 feet in 4.3 seconds to make the catch and had a 29.2 feet per second spring speed, which is well above the league average. It was a 5-star catch, according to Statcast.