Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is expected to retire after the 2024 season. The 34-year-old has played 12 seasons in the big leagues. Kiermaier spent the first 10 years of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He has played with the Blue Jays each of the last two seasons. The veteran outfielder was placed on waivers a few weeks ago after struggling during the first few months of the season. He's still a solid defensive outfielder but his bat has seen a significant drop in production. Best of luck to him after he hangs up his cleats following the 2024 campaign.
The Toronto Blue Jays have placed veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on revocable waivers, according to sources. The Blue Jays are likely hoping a team will claim Kiermaier and take around $4.5 million off of the $10.5 million, one-year deal he signed in the offseason. That is unlikely to happen given how badly Kiermaier has struggled in 2024, but it's a clear indicator that Toronto will be sellers ahead of the July 30 trade deadline this summer. They are also likely trying to fall under the $237 million luxury tax threshold, as they are currently projected to be $10 million over that figure. The 34-year-old can still play a solid center field at his age, but he entered Thursday's action hitting just .183/.232/.290 with a .522 OPS, three homers, 13 RBI and five steals in 169 games as the fourth outfielder in Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier are both starting on the bench for Monday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox. Turner has lost playing time of late, with this being the third time in the last five games that he finds himself on the bench to start. Kiermaier, meanwhile, will ride the pine for the second straight day. Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the DH and will hit fifth, while Daulton Varsho starts in center field and bats sixth against White Sox right-handed rookie Nick Nastrini. Davis Schneider is in left field and is batting leadoff for the Jays. Turner has had a disastrous month of May, hitting .102 (6-for-59) without a home run to drop his season line to .222/.301/.359. Kiermaier hasn't been much better in 2024, hitting .226 (.21-for-93) with only one homer and seven RBI.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays will play matchups here and give Kiermaier the night off against tough left-hander Garrett Crochet. In his absence, Daulton Varsho will bat seventh and cover center field on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielders Kevin Kiermaier (illness) and George Springer (illness) remain out of the starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Twins for the second straight day as they remain under the weather. Daulton Varsho is back in center field and is batting second, while Cavan Biggio is in right field and is hitting eighth in the batting order against Twins rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Davis Schneider is back in left field and in the leadoff spot for the Jays. Fantasy managers need to keep both Kiermaier and Springer benched for another day and check back to see if they're feeling good enough to play in the series finale on Sunday. Nobody in Toronto's lineup has faced Woods Richardson in their careers.
Kevin Kiermaier, George Springer Both Out Sick Friday
Toronto Blue Jays outfielders Kevin Kiermaier (illness) and George Springer (illness) are both out of Friday's lineup against the visiting Minnesota Twins because they are sick, according to manager John Schneider. Daulton Varsho is starting in center field and is batting second, while Cavan Biggio is in right field and is hitting seventh against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan. Davis Schneider is in left field and is batting leadoff for the Jays. With Springer under the weather and struggling offensively for much of the year so far, it's possible Schneider sees more time in the leadoff spot, even when Springer gets over his illness. Fantasy baseball managers will need to check back on Saturday to see if either Kiermaier or Springer are feeling well enough to get back on the field for the second game of the weekend series.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hip) has been activated from the 10-day injured list and will start in Saturday's lineup as the Blue Jays continue a three-game set against right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin and the Washington Nationals. Kiermaier only stayed on the injured list for a minimum of ten days and should be expected to return to his everyday role in center field. The 34-year-old struggled at the plate to open the season with a .193/.246/.228 line but put up a solid .265/.322/.419 line last season, so fantasy managers should expect a nice turnaround. He swiped 14 bags last season and already stole two before being placed on the injured list and remains on pace to smash his 2023 total. Kiermaier remains an AL-only option but could be deployed in a good matchup in DFS.
The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with left-hip flexor inflammation and recalled utility man Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Kiermaier was injured in Tuesday's contest and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Considering the 34-year-old's injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise if he missed more than the required 10 days on the IL. Kiermaier will be eligible to return on May 4. Daulton Varsho is moving to center field and batting cleanup on Wednesday, while Barger will make his major-league debut in left field while hitting eighth against Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh. Barger, who hits from the left side, is likely to see some playing time against right-handed pitching and is worth a deep-league pickup for his power upside.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (back) was scratched from Friday's lineup against the New York Yankees with lower-back tightness. With Kiermaier now out, Daulton Varsho is moving to center field and will bat eighth, while Davis Schneider moves to left field and will hit fifth against Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman. Cavan Biggio enters the lineup at second base and will hit sixth. The 33-year-old Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day for now, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the veteran outfielder misses more than just one day with this injury. On top of now being hurt, he has just one hit in his first 20 plate appearances in 2024 over six games with an RBI, stolen base and six strikeouts for Toronto.
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 33-year-old started the first three games of the season for Toronto, going 1-for-10 with one RBI and a walk. Kiermaier was battling a knee injury during Spring Training, but he seemed no worse for wear throughout the weekend. Daulton Varsho will slide over to centerfield in his absence while Davis Schneider will start in left. Kiermaier remains nothing more than a depth option in AL-Only or deep league formats.
