ST. PETERSBURG (SNN-TV) – Bad news for Rays fans, as Tampa Bay will be without center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino for the rest of the season.
Kiermaier will undergo surgery to repair a torn hip labrum, while Zunino will undergo an operation to treat thoracic outlet syndrome. Kiermaier batted .228 with seven home runs in 63 games this season, while Zunino failed to follow up on his impressive 2021 season in 36 games this year, hitting .148.
But the question lies within the injuries — are Kiermaier and Zunino’s days in Tampa numbered?
Kiermaier’s contract includes a $13M club option, but the Rays seem more likely to either trade him or buy out his option for $2.5M. Zunino too may have played his final game with the Rays, as he’ll qualify for free agency this offseason.
Behind the plate, Tampa Bay will continue to roll with a combination of Francisco Mejía and Christian Bethancourt. In center, the Rays will platoon Brett Phillips with Roman Quinn, who joined the team late last week.