Rays' Kevin Kiermaier, Mike Zunino out the rest of the season

May 21, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier (39) reacts after hitting a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the eighth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Rays CF Kevin Kiermaier, C Mike Zunino out the rest of the season

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/25/22

The injury bug has bitten the Tampa Bay Rays hard, and it was reported on Monday that both center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Mike Zunino will miss the remainder of the 2022 season.

Kiermaier, 32, will undergo surgery to repair a hip injury. Zunino, 31, will undergo a procedure to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that impacts the nerves and blood vessels between the collarbone and ribs.

Kevin Cash says Kevin Kiermaier is done for the year. Will have a procedure done on his hip. Hip labrum surgery.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) July 25, 2022

Mike Zunino is also done for the season and will have surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome.
— Tricia Whitaker (@TriciaWhitaker) July 25, 2022

Losing two pieces of the lineup is cause for concern for any team with roughly a week to go until the MLB trade deadline. With the Rays still 13 games behind the Yankees in the AL East, it is likely the absence of both players will prompt Tampa Bay to look for trades for reinforcements.

Right now, the Rays have a 69% chance of making the playoffs and a 0.3% chance of winning the division per @fangraphs, and just lost Mike Zunino & Kevin Kiermaier... I think they'll sink or swim with Josh Lowe & Francisco Mejía, but you know they'll find a way to add help cheap.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) July 25, 2022

It's unclear what the future holds for either Keirmaier or Zunino past this season. Kiermaier, who hit .228/.281/.369 through 63 games played this season, has been mentioned in various trade packages over the years. Zunino qualifies for free agency this offseason and is likely on his way out the door as well.

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