Ryan Hanigan placed on DL; Kevin Kiermaier called up to Rays

Tampa Bay Rays catcher Ryan Hanigan will in fact spend time on the disabled list due to a nagging hamstring injury that has been plaguing him since injuring it on May 16 against the Los Angeles Angles. Initially thought to be just a cramp, Hanigan didn't believe it was worthy of a stint on the DL, but a setback last week aggravated the injury.

Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier has been called up to fill the spot on the team.

Tampa Bay Times reporter Joe Smith was the first to break the news via Twitter:

Hanigan on DL with right hamstring strain. Said yesterday it wasn't healing like it should. Solis will back up Molina it looks like.

— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) May 28, 2014

Eat your heart out, Molina haters. Due to Hanigan's injury, Molina slides in to the starting catcher role with recently promoted Ali Solis seemingly becoming the back-up catcher.

Although the injury isn't ideal for the Rays, who were just now getting back to full strength with Alex Cobb's return and the impending return of Jeremy Hellickson in June, it does give Kiermaier more opportunities to prove himself at the big-league level.

In five games this season, Kiermaier is posting a line of .250/.250/.500 with three hits in 12 ABs. His two recent stints with the Rays showcased his impressive fielding skills with a few flashy plays in center field.

Rays manager Joe Maddon has gone on the record as saying Kiermaier is the "best outfieler in the Major Leagues right now and that he expects Kiermaier to be a "Major League outfielder for years to come."

Kiermaier has certainly given the team some energy during his short time with the Rays this season, so let's see if he can provide a similar boost throughout this road trip.