3 years agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (groin) was scratched from the spring game on Friday due to left groin soreness. Josh Lowe will now start in center field in the Grapefruit League game. Injuries have been an issue for Kiermaier this spring, as he's also dealt with some neck and back stiffness, so it's something to watch with Opening Day quickly approaching in a few weeks. After posting double-digit stolen bases from 2015-19, Kiermaier only stole nine bases in 122 games in 2021, and he's only played more than 129 games in his nine-year career once (back in 2015). The 31-year-old is more of a defensive player at this point in his career after hitting .259/.328/.388 with four homers, 37 RBI and 54 runs scored in 390 plate appearances last year.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin