Rays’ Kiermaier out with broken hip
Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier was placed on the disabled list and is expected to miss at least two months after breaking his right hip Thursday while sliding feet first into first base.
The 2016 Gold Glove winner left Thursday’s game against the White Sox after jamming the hip trying to beat out an infield hit in the fifth inning.
“It’s just a funky, awkward slide, and I’m paying for it now,” Kiermaier said Friday. “Unfortunately, that’s something I have to live with now. I expect a full recovery. This will probably be my last slide into first base for quite some time.”
Tampa Bay recalled outfielder Mallex Smith from Triple-A Durham to replace Kiermaier.
“We’re not going to replace him, but this team is capable of overcoming injuries, and I know his is a big one, but we’ll overcome it,” manager Kevin Cash said. Peralta out in Cards’ shakeup: Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has announced several changes aimed at shaking up an offense that has the team off to a rough start.
That includes designating infielder Jhonny Peralta for assignment, activating second baseman Kolten Wong from the DL and reassigning thirdbase coach Chris Maloney to another position in the organization.
Peralta, 35, who is in the final year of his contract, was hitting .204 with no extra-base hits in 58 at-bats this season.
Wong, who hasn’t played since aggravating an elbow injury May 26, is hitting .278 with 16 RBIs. Briefly: Tony Watson’s struggles have cost the Pirates reliever his job as the team’s closer after two blown saves this week. Manager Clint Hurdle said Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio will share the closing duties for now . ... Addison Russell returned to the Cubs, one day after Major League Baseball began an investigation of the shortstop. He had been accused of hitting his wife in a social media post that has since been deleted. Russell denies the allegation . ... The Mets says outfielder Yoenis Céspedes, out since April 28 with hamstring and quadriceps injuries, will be activated from the disabled list Saturday . ... Masahiro Tanaka’s next scheduled start has been pushed back one day by the Yankees . ... The Orioles put right-hander Darren O’Day on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain.