Kiermaier's wrist injury keeps him out of lineup

Rays outfielder hopes to be able to play remainder of series

September 27th, 2016

CHICAGO -- Kevin Kiermaier arrived at the ballpark Tuesday thinking that the condition of his bruised wrist had improved enough so that he could play. After taking a few swings, he felt otherwise.
Kiermaier left Sunday's game against the Red Sox after getting hit by a pitch on the wrist by Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez. X-rays were negative, leaving Kiermaier on day-to-day status. He missed Monday night's game against the White Sox and was not in the starting lineup Tuesday.
"I tried," Kiermaier said. "I told Cash to wait on the lineup, because I wanted to try and swing. I do feel a little bit better than I did yesterday. I was pretty optimistic coming to the field. I got some treatment, then I went to go swing.
"Right after my contact point, where you turn your wrist over, it just wasn't feeling like it needs to be. Hopefully another day will help and I'll be able to pinch run or play defense. But hitting right now, not feeling great."
Kiermaier said he wants to be back in the lineup Wednesday night.
"I've missed enough games this year that I don't want to sit out any more games," Kiermaier said. "But at the same time you have to look out for your body."
Earlier in the season, Kiermaier experienced an extended stay on the disabled list after he broke a bone in his left hand while diving to field a ball in Detroit.
Adding frustratiion to Kiermaier's situation is the fact his family traveled to Chicago from Indiana to watch him play.
"My family's here," Kiermaier said. "I don't know if they're going to be able to see me now. I want to play, it's just I had a talk with them today. You know, 'Mom, Dad, I'm glad you made the trip to come watch me.' But at the end of the day you have to look out for yourself. I don't want to be out there if I feel like I"m not 100 percent.
"I broke my hand in Detroit, my whole family was there. They come to watch me play, just bad timing to get hit on the hand the day before I come to Chicago. I know at the end of the day they're just happy to see me. But that's parents being politically correct with their answer."
Worth noting
• Nick Franklin's (left hamstring) playing time continues to be monitored.
"Nick, he's really wanting to play," Cash said. "But at the same time, we're not looking to aggravate his hamstring any more than it already is. I'm optimistic that he's going to get back out there, whether he's going to DH or play outfield, or something. He could be in there tomorrow, but at this point it's not worth him really injuring himself."
• Left-hander Xavier Cedeno (stiff neck) did not travel with the team on the final road trip. Cash said he remained in St. Petersburg to continue having his neck treated.