Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier has successful surgery to repair torn ligament in right thumb

Published

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) --Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier has had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb that will sideline him two to three months.

Kiermaier was injured sliding headfirst into second base during a 10-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. He had the procedure Friday.

This is the third straight season the two-time Gold Glove winner will miss significant time because of injury.

Kiermaier, batting .163 with one RBI, missed 48 games in 2016 after breaking his left wrist diving for a ball. Last season, he fractured his right hip sliding feet first into first base and was out 61 games.

Also, Tampa Bay reinstated infielder Brad Miller (left groin strain) from the 10-day disabled list and designated infielder Brandon Snyder for assignment.