The Tampa Bay Rays were dealt a serious blow to their 2016 campaign as Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier fractured his left hand yesterday.
Typically, when one thinks of the Tampa Bay Rays, one imagines stellar defense and an offensive approach that involves a more speed based approach. Even though they have changed their philosophy on offense this season, looking to hit for more power, players like Kevin Kiermaier are still the type of player that one imagines on the Rays.
Unfortunately for Kiermaier and the Rays, they will be without their Gold Glove center fielder for the foreseeable future. After landing awkwardly on his glove hand while diving for a fly ball, Kiermaier will miss time due to two fractured bones in his left hand.
It's 2 fractures in metacarpal bones in left hand for #Rays Kiermaier. Flying home Sunday, well see specialist Dr. Carlan on Monday
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 21, 2016
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In his place, the Rays have brought up Mikie Mahtook, who was fresh off the minor league disabled list. Last season, Mahtook had produced a .295/.351/.619 batting line with nine home runs and five doubles in 41 games. It was possible that Mahtook would be coming up to the Rays soon, given the struggles that Desmond Jennings has had recently, but this injury has given the Rays former top prospect a reprieve.
While Kiermaier has had a rough start to the season, producing an overall .236/.307/.447 batting line on the season, he had been heating up at the plate recently. Even though his eight game hitting streak was snapped yesterday, Kiermaier had been hitting at a .313/.343/.625 clip with five extra base hits in his last 32 at bats.
Yet, more than his offensive production, the Rays will miss his defense in center. After saving 42 runs last year, Kiermaier was already worth nine runs saved this season, as he continued his impressive ability to track down virtually anything hit into center. Even if the Rays can replace Kiermaier’s production in the lineup, his defense will be impossible to replicate.
As the Tampa Bay Rays were starting to heat up offensively, they have lost one of their hottest hitters of late in Kevin Kiermaier. This could prove to be a truly devastating injury for the Rays as they looked to get back into the race for the postseason.