Kiermaier won't start Saturday against southpaw Wade LeBlanc and the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier has now sat for two of the last three games, both against lefties. Manuel Margot again gets the nod in center in his absence.

Kiermaier is not in the lineup Thursday against the Braves, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier will sit for the first time this season as Manuel Margot picks up a start in center field in his stead. Through six games, Kiermaier is 4-for-21 with four RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base.

Kiermaier went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Braves on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The defensive-minded outfielder may be starting to heat up at the plate after a slow start, as he's now hit safely in three straight games following an 0-for-7 tally over the Rays' first two contests of the season. Kiermaier has always been a speed threat when getting on base, but he's typically been unable to establish a consistent presence in that regard; the Platinum Glove outfielder came into 2020 with sub-.300 OBPs in back-to-back seasons after topping out in that category with a .338 figure back in 2017.

Kiermaier went 1-for-5 with a triple and two RBI on Sunday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier was held quiet until the 10th inning, when he drove a two-RBI triple down the right-field line to give the Rays a walk-off victory. While he was able to be the hero Sunday, Kiermaier has gotten off to a slow start to the campaign, reaching base only once in 12 plate appearances. He'll look to pick it up as the Rays face Atlanta in their next series.

Kiermaier was a first-time attendee at the Rays' informal Tropicana Field workouts Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "It felt great to see teammates, trainers, coaches and [manager Kevin] Cash," Kiermaier said via text. "Was very happy to drive to the Trop once again, to have somewhat a regular feel from years past even though I knew it was going to be in and out in an hour time slot."

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier did not attend the first workout the Rays held Monday, but he did have a chance to engage in activities such as light weightlifting, running and playing catch Wednesday. Along with the rest of his teammates, the outfielder had his temperature checked upon entry, wore a mask when appropriate and adhered to social distancing guidelines. Topkin reports that by next week, players such as Kiermaier may greater access in the form of batting cage sessions and additional workout equipment.

Kiermaier is potentially more expendable than in past years now that the Rays have acquired Manuel Margot and Randy Arozarena, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tolentino runs through five Rays that, for a variety of reasons, particularly have something to prove in a potential 2020 season. With Kiermaier, it's both his upcoming salaries and the team's expanded outfield options that qualify him for the list. The 30-year-old Gold Glove outfielder is slated for salaries of $11.6 million and $12.6 million in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively, and six big-league seasons in, he's still trying to be as consistent with the bat as with his stellar glove. Tolentino notes Margot is also an impressive defensive asset, while Arozarena has excellent speed and was outstanding offensively in three of his last four minor-league seasons within the Cardinals organization. The combination of factors do lend credence to the notion that the team has options if it were to receive an attractive offer for Kiermaier, but working in his favor for the moment is that neither of the aforementioned potential replacements have yet had the opportunity to prove themselves in Tampa outside of a small Grapefruit League sample this year.

Kiermaier has remained in the Port Charlotte area during the current suspension of spring training and is using a variety of methods to remain in shape, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Platinum Glove outfielder has been using rubber resistance bands to perform assorted stretching exercises and for creative movements such as baseball bat biceps curls. Kiermaier is also working on his legs by jumping on concrete blocks, so he's essentially trying to stick to a comprehensive, full-body workout without the benefit of a gym/training facility. Like the rest of his teammates, the 29-year-old is hoping to soon find himself in a ramp-up period to the delayed regular season.

Kiermaier was hitting just .125 (3-for-24) with two doubles, three RBi, two walks and four runs across 10 Grapefruit League games before spring training was suspended.

EDGE Analysis

The Platinum Glove outfielder entered camp looking forward to implementing changes to his stance and swing he'd made in the offseason, but as his line indicates, those have yet to pay dividends. Even with the unsightly spring numbers, Kiermaier's starting center field job is far from endangered thanks to his elite defense. Nevertheless, the Rays would certainly welcome improvement on last season's .228/.278/.398 line (480 plate appearances).

Kiermaier, who made some changes to his stance and swing this offseason, has been consistently driving the ball to the opposite field in his first few batting practice sessions, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The multi-time Gold Glover made a point of addressing his offense this offseason in an effort to significantly outperform his career .249 average in 2020. Toribio reported last week the 29-year-old worked diligently with a coach from another major-league team on both body positioning and control in the batter's box this winter, with the express purpose of learning to use all fields consistently. The new approach has apparently paid early dividends, although spring training, and ultimately, the regular season, will serve as a more accurate barometer.

Kiermaier is not in Saturday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

He is hitting .137 with one home run and zero steals in 18 games this month. Guillermo Heredia is starting in center field and batting ninth.