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Kevin Kiermaier is currently day-to-day with a bone bruise after taking a foul tip off his right foot during Sunday’s game in Boston.
Kiermaier showed immediate signs of pain following the hit, but it was unclear at the time if it was merely a contusion or something more serious. According to Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin, there was a walking boot and crutch in Kiermaier’s locker ahead of game time at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on Monday. Given Kiermaier’s history with injury it was reasonable for fans to fret that it might be a break, but the good news — if it could be called such — was that it was merely a bone bruise, no break.
#Rays Kiermaier said he “dodged a bullet” given past history with broken bones, hoping he could play as soon as Tuesday. Will be wearing a “Paul Bunyan” walking boot to take pressure off. Has a lot of swelling.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) April 9, 2018
The team and Kiermaier are both hopeful he will rejoin the Rays later this week. In the meantime, Mallex Smith is scheduled to take Kiermaier’s place in centerfield, if they Rays are able to play in Monday’s snowy Chicago weather.