Kevin Kiermaier, the center fielder for the Toronto Blue Jays, was forced to leave the game against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday after the second inning, due to a back injury. The Blue Jays announced that Kiermaier had felt discomfort in his right lower back, and he was replaced in the batting order by Cavan Biggio.
Kiermaier’s Performance This Season
In his first season with the Blue Jays, Kiermaier has been performing well, batting .319 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 42 games. The three-time Gold Glove winner signed a one-year contract worth $9 million in December, after a season of injuries with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2022 that saw him limited to just 63 games.
Despite the Blue Jays’ struggles this season, Kiermaier has excelled and transitioned smoothly into the team. In an interview with the Toronto Star earlier this month, he expressed his appreciation for the support he has received from teammates and fans since joining the organization.
Kiermaier’s Career Stats
Kiermaier, who has spent his entire career with the Rays and Blue Jays, has a career batting average of .251 with 86 home runs and 331 RBIs in 956 games. He is known for his strong defensive skills, having won three Gold Glove awards for his play in center field.
Other Highlights from the Game
In the Twins’ 9-7 victory over the Blue Jays, Willi Castro had his first career multihomer game, while Matt Wallner had a career-high four hits. The win improves the Twins’ record to 21-31, while the Blue Jays drop to 25-27.
Kiermaier’s injury is a setback for the Blue Jays, who will be hoping for a speedy recovery so that he can continue to contribute to the team’s efforts to turn their season around. The loss to the Twins is also a disappointment, but the Blue Jays will have plenty of opportunities to bounce back in their remaining games.
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