Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier was hit on the foot by a pitch tonight and later diagnosed with a hairline fracture, per a team announcement. Kiermaier originally stayed in the game after being plunked, but with only a handful of games remaining, it seems likely that he’ll get an early start on his offseason. The 28-year-old already missed more than two months earlier this season with a torn ligament in his thumb and has averaged just 97 games per season across the past three years due to injury. His 2016 season was shortened by a pair of fractures in his hand sustained while diving for a ball in the outfield, while his 2017 season was truncated by a fractured hip incurred while sliding. Kiermaier is one of the game’s premier defenders and an outstanding baserunner, but tonight’s news won’t do anything to quell the “injury-prone” label that has been attached to him in recent years. He’s set to earn $8MM in 2019, $10MM in 2020, $11.5MM in 2021 and $12MM in 2022 as part of the six-year, $53.5MM extension he signed in 2017.
More from the division…
- Yankees skipper Aaron Boone acknowledged tonight that Gary Sanchez’s ongoing troubles with passed balls are a “concern” but left no doubt that Sanchez is expected to be the starter for the team in the postseason (Twitter link via the YES Network’s Jack Curry). Sanchez, 25, has an MLB-worst 17 passed balls this season despite catching just 631 innings heading into tonight’s game. The issue is hardly unique to 2018, either, as he led the league with 16 passed balls last year (in 881 innings). He’s also taken a step back in nearly all facets with his bat in 2018, hitting .181/.281/.393 through 365 PAs. Sanchez is still among baseball’s most powerful catchers and, to his credit, has improved his walk rate to a robust 11.8 percent this season.
- Sticking with the Yankees, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com writes that shortstop Didi Gregorius was cleared to resume baseball activities on Wednesday. Gregorius, who is dealing with a cartilage injury in his right wrist, is optimisitc about returning before the end of the regular season. Even if he doesn’t return before season’s end, Boone said that wouldn’t rule out a possible appearance in the AL Wild Card Game, though the manager generally spoke with caution rather than putting down a definitive timetable on Gregorius’ return.
- Right-hander Joe Biagini has bounced between the bullpen and rotation since being selected in the Rule 5 Draft by the Blue Jays prior to the 2016 season, but he tells Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling that he’s now focused on a relief role moving forward. “I’m looking forward to having one role for the whole season to see if that helps,” said Biagini. The struggles to which Biagini alludes there have been pronounced; the righty pitched to a brilliant 3.06 ERA with strong peripherals as a rookie in 2016 while working exclusively as a reliever. He’s bounced between the ’pen and the rotation in the two seasons since, however, and been tattooed for a 5.51 ERA in 189 1/3 innings. As Zwelling notes, the Jays will be on the hunt for both rotation and relief help this offseason, so knowing where Biagini will fit into the equation should help when plotting their offseason trajectory.
Hopefully Biagini finds success in the bullpen. Had a great ’16 and would love to see him in a 7th/8th role for a while. Always seems like the kind of guy who gets on well and deserves the chance to prove himself.
Agreed. How quickly Jays fans forget how important Biagini was in 2016; while most of the bullpen floundered, he was an unexpected bright spot. He was a big reason for their return to postseason. I hope he comes back strong next year.
I know this has nothing to do with this article…but I want to congratulate the Brewers on winning a Wild card spot…they did it with 13 players on the field
Even tho you’re right, like to highlight Yelich: five walks, 2 runs scored. This guy gets my vote for NL MVP.
Now you’re a member of the BWAA?
Lol
Thank you for your service
He’s not even the best player on his team. That would be Lorenzo Cain. But narrative!
But.. but Yelich hit TWO cycles this season? the 5th player in history. Here’s the full list:
Christian Yelich, 2018 Brewers
Aaron Hill, 2012 Diamondbacks
Babe Herman, 1931 Brooklyn Robins
Tip O’Neill, 1887 St. Louis Browns
John Reilly, 1883 Cincinnati Red Stockings
I’m a big fan of Yelich’s game. Besides, feel the media has practically declared Yelich the winner, and would agree with that decision.
Cool stuff like that, despite being gimmicky to some is the tie-breaker. They won 2-1 to clinch playoff betth… Yelich scored both runs.. (5BB) The game before, he homered and drove in a career-high six RBI.
I love it when you respond to your own thoughts back to back…..and without a reply.
This whole thing was started by him responding to a joker who posted something that had nothing relevant to this thread.
Eat your cereal, take out the trash and don’t miss your bus. You can post later during lunch or study hall.
I fear he’s homeschooled.
I worked for a school. The home schooled kids who eventually joined the public school system were the ones with the most behavioral problems
Cool story. But home schoolers traditionally do very well in public or advanced schools. My guess is it was the school who failed them. Statistics speak for themselves
Cain has been more valuable than Yelich this season, yes. Defense and baserunning count.
Who’s Christian Yelich?
You’ll know ALL about him when school ends for the day.
Make sure you have coffee.
You guys spent 15 posts going off-topic, harassing me w/ irrelevant attacks. TF?
If I type a long post, heaven forbid, but 15 personal replies are ok?
Made a legitimate baseball comment.. Yelich should be MVP.. tried to provide stats to backup, asked a Q regards to Didi’s injury.
How desperate do you have to be to make multiple accs? & Sorry for long post, wanted feedback and didn’t think anyone cared.. Even reported my long post I wrote. — 15 posts, not about mlb, just about me. (thought you’d remove, based on irrelevance factor alone) Thanks for allowing bullying.
Are you insinuating the umps were siding with the Brewers? They are a pretty powerful team this year no question and they will also have the mvp. That’s how they made the postseason
I know…its a little sour grapes on my part but if you watched the series the Brewers were getting all the calls on the corners and the cardinals pitchers where getting shafted big time….even lead to carpenter getting kicked out…in which it showed carpenter was right about the pitch…it was high and outside
Omg how old are you?
coming from someone who types omg that’s lol
Cardinals lost because they were only able to get two hits and their pinch runner forgot how to run.
Someone fill me in, what does he mean by 13 players in the field?
I think what simschifan said. If cards81 was talking umps, that was really subtle.. not agreeing to that (didn’t see game) Yelich still gets my vote for MVP
The Rays OF actually looks in decent shape WITHOUT KK next year, but that contract isn’t going to be easy to move. Meadows (if he pans out; most think he will)-Smith-and the regenerated Pham are a pretty good unit.
It may look in decent shape without him, but its in even better shape with him, so absolutely no reason to move him; more depth is always better than less. Besides, I wouldn’t want to pin my hopes on Smith just yet, would like to see him start next year off well before handing him a starting spot.
I would still keep KK. There is plenty of of abs for four guys. It’s a long season. I think teams will start seeing 4th and 5th outfielders differently. Your 5th outfielder will be more of a jack of all trades.
That contract is pretty hefty for a 5th OF, especially in Rays-land. KK is another year like this one (an average year for him) away from being a Longoria-type albatross. Ya, he’s good defensively; no one doubts it. But he’s not THAT much better than JBJ or Hicks or Pillar for that matter…and that’s just in the AL East. And he only plays 2/3 of the year. I know Rays fans love him, but the reality is, is that he’s just not very good.
Mallex has improved tremendously over the year; kudos to the coaching staff. His brain farts have shrunk significantly. And that makes him pretty valuable.
This might be the last winter they can get out from under what, frankly, was a pretty bad move to start with.
They have barely anything committed to anyone, so it’s no big deal, even for cheap Rays.
Kiermaier is a poor mans Grady Sizemore.
Keirmaier will be with the Rays next year and most Rays fan are happy about that. His injury history will affect the offers the Rays will be offered and should reject. No player is better in centerfield and having depth in the OF(4-5) is a requirement not a luxury. Rays hopefully stand “Pat” in 2019 season (except for the standard bullpen needs)with only catcher JT Realmuto an upgrade I would trade with zeal to acquire. 2019 Rays up!
The walk-off 11th-inning run that clinched playoffs for the Yanks, saw Didi score from first on a headfirst slide, but he suffered torn cartilage in his right wrist on the headfirst slide.
Does anyone have any experience with Didi’s injury, either personal or player examples? (cartilage tear in right wrist) FWIW, Didi said he was hopeful, since it was a “small” tear.
Before anyone bashes Didi for the headfirst slide, know he got injured scoring from first on a double (believe not an easy thing to do) It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is. Thanks for your time. (Weirdest injury ever, diagnosis was could miss postseason, now could play final games)
In light of the Judge debacle, I would expect that every initial prognosis coming from the Yankees in the foreseeable future will be almost ridiculously over-precautious.
Judge got hit by a 94 mph pitch on his wrist from a hack pitcher (Sorry, Royals’ fans…)
Didi slid. Is it it me or does injuring wrist from sliding seem less “serious”? But then again, Turner was hit by a pitch, look at him now. Wrist injuries are so complicated, man.
Wow! Only 2 down votes
Whose holding back?
Two..again along with 5 dislikes. But go ahead and call me out again….I can deal with the dislikes just not people like you that post here as if they know what’s best for a team/player.
Good God, you should only be allowed a maximum of twenty posts a day, and not be able to reply to yourself.
20 posts per day?
I better charge my battery now and save my posts for after school
I just thought of a stat for xabial ….. OBP
Off Base Percentage
If you ain’t right the first, second, or sixth time, try-try again.
Sanchez is having a horrendous offensive season because he is chasing balls out of the strike zone as the league has adjusted to him. He did, however, improve his walk rate!! Lol. Who cares? He needs to be doing damage with his bat. This emphasis on the importance of walks is comical. Smfh
Sanchez need a lot of work!!! Firstly his defense is horrible and hasn’t been taught the right positions with balls in the dirt. As a rays fan keep putting him in the lineup. Not hitting only makes it worse to pay him at all.. if any takers- trade him or put him on 1b. Sad.
He needs to go back to the minors and relearn to catch and hit. Why they would start him in the playoffs is beyond me.
Because our options aren’t very good. I would not be shocked to see him replaced late in games if it’s a close score.
Actually, you’re incorrect. His O-Swing% (Percentage of pitches a batter swings at outside the strike zone) has lowered from 2017 from 33.7 to 32.5%. His K rate did grow from 22,9% to 25%. His .194 BABIP dropped from .304. I think he’s suffering vs the shift and has to figure out how to adjust his swing to get more lift and spray the ball to all fields.
Btw walk rate to me, indicates measures their ability to NOT swing at pitches out of the zone. That is a positive anyway you want to look at it.
FInally, it’s ridiculous to suggest he should be sent to the minors. He simply needs to dedicate himself to improving over the summer. He does a lot of good things as a Catcher too. He just needs to improve his work ethic perhaps.
I don’t care what the #s say. I watch his at bats with my eyes. He is swinging at balls out of the zone, especially sliders low and away, resulting in either a K or a weak ground ball. He was effective when he was hitting the ball to all fields, that I’ll agree with. He just hasn’t hit the ball consistency hard all season. A lot of pop ups, too.
it seems Kiermaier has weak bones. Sucks, he was fun to root for since he’s from a town not that far from me
Kiermaier is an example of why players should consider long term deals or secure injury insurance. Not saying every player but security on that first major contract is sometimes worth leaving a little on the table. The risk v. the reward is so great in sports and while many win betting on themselves, things happen and as we are talking about individual people, saying on average players make out better doesn’t always cut it. Players should be in control but sometimes have too much faith in their agent. Look at Boras. For all of the huge contracts he and his firm have negotiated, there are some who’ve lost including a few that lost big.
kiermaier was smart to sign his contract when he did and remains fair. Seems the owners have a tremendous upper hand with salary for the 11oo or so professional players. When the next collective bargaining agreement comes up the decision makers should only listen to the middle of the road payroll teams and the middle of the road paid players (Kiermaier) . They are the ones who can advise towards fair salary distribution throughout MLB. You can’t have the money and best benefits only with the top 1% of the players! Nor only be offered by the richest teams! Trout is not worth 35 mill. a year and his team can’t win anything while Blake Snell (Cy Young?) is paid only $520,000 thiis year and next!!!!
Brilliant
You can’t expect big market club owners who’s teams are worth much more than the middle valued teams to listen on how to spend their money. Given the upside reward for the best of the young, there’s nothing wrong with earning their right to reach that mountain peak. Don’t you think Tampa would offer him more now to lock in the arb years? That was the point of my earlier post. Some only get the chance at the big contract at free agency while others blossom earlier. Betts for example I assume has invested heavily in injury insurance. Snell should also but as a pitcher, the cost I assume is $$$. With guaranteed money, star and even average players do just fine. Minor leaguers are where more salary is needed but even there it’s the players’ decision. No guarantees in life other than death and taxes.
I have to disagree. Firstly the owners are the completely at fault with this flawede process on how they pay the players. Now most top end players aren’t receiving the contracts they once were offered by many teams! MLB nets about (actual #s are kept secret) 35 billion per year. That’s after expenses!! The players total yearly average expense is $4,400,000.00. about 9.5 X pure profit for the owners per year! No Taxes as well, Greed is florishing all to well in baseball! On the other end the 50 or so highest paid players receive 60% of that total of 4 billion. Let those guys try playing the game by themselves! No-No! time for a change…My opinion is vote an impartial Baseball Commissioner, 2nd, Arbitration for players after 1 year in baseball, 3rd Max salary for elite ball payers with bonus for the amount of fans that come to gate to see them. I’m sure there are much better options than what I mention, But the large market owners-top players have had their way for to long and failed everyone except themselves. That’s why for fairness I recommended that Mid market owners and mid talented players come up with alternatives for the next MLB agreement coming soon! Or strike and no one makes money!
Good exchange back in that it is primarily the owners mess to clean up but they are trying to do that with shorter length deals. The concept of back loaded deals, play now and be paid later is the root cause. The MLBPA has longed believed paying monopoly money to the 1% brings up the other 99%’s contracts and until they get on board with a new payroll distribution formula, a radical new concept is not conceivable IMHO.
I agree you have to have agreement with all owners and the player reps. The players association and it’s negotiations in last collective bargain agreement were very ignorant and sold out the 0-2 year player along with the middle to very good players. Only the elite players were protected. How the lower level players are paid is a up to the parties concerned…just pay them! We also don’t need Price and Kershaw getting the bulk of the players pay. Does Boston fans really come out for only Price? doubt it. There has to be some kind of a maximum payout salary and distribute the money to the other players and teams. it also might help that all the elite players don’t leave their middle tiered teams in free agency.. IMO.
Agree 100% on a hard cap as I still believe it’s best for the sport when KC, Cincinnati, or the Pirates for example can retain their best players. Those fans don’t deserve to watch their talent move to the major markets. One change from other caps. Such should be indexed to allow for different cost of living and State tax rates. Then let the best run organization win. Will still not be an even playing field as some locations will always have drawing advantages but it will be as close as you can probably get.