The Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters Monday that the team has lost outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino to season-ending injuries.  Both players are in the final year of their contracts with the Rays, and both are scheduled to undergo surgery soon.

Kiermaier, who hasn’t played in a game since July 9, will undergo hip labrum surgery. In 63 games this season, Kiermaier, a three-time Golden Glover winner in center field, hit .228 with a .649 OPS.  The 32-year-old Kiermaier has played his entire 10-year career with the Rays, but his six-year, $53.5 million contract expires at the end of this season.

Zunino, who hasn’t appeared for the Rays since June 9, will have thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.  The 31-year-old hit just .148 over 36 games at Tampa Bay’s second catcher. He’s on a one-year, $3 million deal this season.

Editorial credit: Eugene Buchko / Shuttertock.com

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