Kiermaier hits IL with quad strain
This browser does not support the video element.
The Rays put center fielder Kevin Kiermaier on the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain on Tuesday afternoon, losing yet another player they expected to contribute within the first week of the season, and recalled infield prospect Kevin Padlo from the taxi squad.
Kiermaier exited the Rays¡¯ 11-2 loss to the Red Sox on Monday due to tightness in his quad, which he felt while trying to beat a double play ball and again while playing a carom off the Green Monster. It¡¯s been an issue for Kiermaier dating back to Spring Training, something that flares up when he breaks into a full-on sprint, and it¡¯s grown serious enough for the Rays to shut down Kiermaier.
Kiermaier said he expects that he¡¯ll likely miss two or three weeks. His frustration was obvious as he spoke to reporters on Zoom before Tuesday¡¯s game.
¡°I don't want to deal with what I've been dealing with the last couple of weeks with this. I want it to be gone, so we'll do whatever it takes to make that happen,¡± Kiermaier said. ¡°It¡¯s not easy. It's not easy to accept, and this weighs on me more than you guys will ever know. I want to be out there with my team and just be available, and I'm not. And, you know, that stinks.¡±
After a mostly healthy Spring Training, the Rays now find themselves without Kiermaier, first baseman Ji-Man Choi (knee), high-leverage reliever Nick Anderson (elbow) and relievers Chaz Roe (shoulder) and Ryan Sherriff (restricted list), among others.
¡°We don't feel sorry for ourselves,¡± manager Kevin Cash said. ¡°You get frustrated. You want the best for the guys. They all want to be out there. But this is where we always talk about having the quality options. We very much do. It¡¯s just those opportunities are maybe coming a little sooner than what we had envisioned.¡±
Without Kiermaier in center field, the Rays can still run out the trio of Randy Arozarena, Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows. They also have versatile infielders who can play the corners, including second baseman/outfielder Brandon Lowe, who started in left field on Tuesday, and utility man Mike Brosseau, who moved to left field when Kiermaier exited Monday¡¯s game. Yoshi Tsutsugo can play left field, too, though the Rays will likely keep him focused on first base unless a late-game move is necessary.
The Rays also could get some reinforcements from the injured list soon, depending on the progress of outfielder Brett Phillips. The World Series hero went down in Spring Training with a strained left hamstring and began the season on the 10-day IL. Cash said Phillips is doing well, as he¡¯s planning to play in sim games this week, and added that the Rays will revisit his status on Thursday¡¯s off-day. Speaking exactly three weeks ago, Phillips was hopeful that he could beat the Rays¡¯ initial rehab timetable and return ¡°in less than three or four weeks.¡±
In the meantime, Padlo will pad out Tampa Bay¡¯s position player group with his powerful right-handed bat and patient approach at the plate. The Rays¡¯ No. 25 prospect, wearing No. 37 during his first call-up to the big leagues, made his Major League debut right away as he started at third base on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
Getting the call from Cash on Tuesday morning was a proud moment for the 24-year-old, especially after he battled severe headaches last spring and a back injury during the summer.
¡°It¡¯s been a long, long adventure to get here,¡± Padlo said. ¡°I just couldn't be more thankful not only for the Rays' organization, but my family, my brother and my girlfriend for getting me through not only my life up to this point, but the tough 2020 that I had. They were there every step of the way, and I'm just very thankful.¡±
Padlo split the 2019 season between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham, slashing .265/.389/.538 with 21 homers and 31 doubles in 110 games. The 24-year-old strikes out quite a bit, having whiffed in 24.5 percent of his Minor League plate appearances, but he makes up for it with a high walk rate and high-end exit velocity when he does make contact. He¡¯s an athletic defender who can play first and third base, which will free up the Rays to move Tsutsugo to left field while Kiermaier is sidelined and play Yandy D¨ªaz wherever they see fit.
The Rays initially acquired Padlo from the Rockies alongside outfielder Corey Dickerson in the trade that sent Jake McGee and Germ¨¢n M¨¢rquez to Colorado.
¡°We're excited for his opportunity, and hopefully he can provide a little bit of a spark for us today,¡± Cash said. ¡°I know he's excited.¡±
Catcher claimed
The Rays made another roster move on Tuesday afternoon, claiming catcher Deivy Grull¨®n off waivers from the Reds. The 25-year-old Grull¨®n (pronounced groo-YOHN) played in five Major League games for the Phillies and Red Sox from 2019-20. He hit well in Triple-A in 2019, slashing .283/.354/.496 with 21 homers and 24 doubles in 108 games for the Phillies¡¯ Lehigh Valley affiliate.
Tampa Bay is currently carrying three catchers on its active roster, although that is likely to change soon. To make room on their 40-man roster, the Rays transferred reliever Chaz Roe -- who could miss 12 weeks due to a strained right shoulder -- from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL.