Kiermaier is hitting .357 (10-for-28) with four doubles, an RBI, a walk and a run over the 29 plate appearances encompassing his last seven games.

EDGE Analysis

Those numbers factor in a 2-for-3 night against the Royals on Wednesday that included a double. Kiermaier's season average remains just below the Mendoza Line at .196, but his seven-game surge has already boosted that figure 21 points. The Gold Glove outfielder's season appears to have been derailed by an array of injuries that included an extensive absence due to thumb surgery, but recent returns are certainly encouraging.

Kiermaier went 3-for-4 with a double in a win over the Royals on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

The struggling outfielder had a rare taste of of offensive success, generating only his second multi-hit effort of August. Kiermaier appeared to be hitting his stride at the plate as July came to a close, going 7-for-20 over the last five games of the month. However, a 2-for-31 start to the new month quickly snuffed out any momentum he may have generated, although Kiermaier may now be in the midst of another resurgence -- factoring in Monday's production, he's 7-for-21 with three doubles and an RBI over his last six contests.

Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rays manager Kevin Cash classified Kiermaier's absence as a scheduled off day after the 28-year-old started each of the team's last 17 games. Kiermaier hit just .134 during that stretch and now owns a lowly .179/.246/.295 line across 256 plate appearances on the season. The massive struggles at the plate won't threaten Kiermaier's status as the club's everyday center fielder thanks to the Gold Glove-caliber defense he provides at his position.

Kiermaier was hitting just .118 (6-for-51) with two doubles, two RBI, four walks and two runs over 55 August plate appearances entering Thursday's series finale against the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

The Gold Glove outfielder's numbers even include his 2-for-5 night Wednesday, a tally partly comprised of an RBI single and a double. It also serves as Kiermaier's only multi-hit effort of the month thus far, and his first since July 28. The 28-year-old has also been mired in a power drought, leaving the yard just once in his last 17 games.

Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with two RBI from a triple and bases-loaded walk in a win over the Angels on Tuesday. He also scored twice.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier has recently dealt with a bone bruise in his foot, but a couple of days of rest seemed to serve him well. The outfielder hustled into third just under the tag of Jefry Marte, a hit in which he plated Mallex Smith for a third-inning run. Kiermaier's average still sits at just .199, but a 16-for-56 finish to July during which he laced six extra-base hits (two doubles, one triple, three home runs) boosted his average 42 points and provides reason for optimism moving forward.

Kiermaier is out of the lineup Sunday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per Topkin, manager Kevin Cash relayed that Kiermaier isn't being held out as a result of any increased discomfort with the bone bruise in his right foot. Instead, Kiermaier's absence looks to be a pre-planned day off, which will allow Mallex Smith to pick up a start in center field. Left fielder Joey Wendle will handle the table-setting duties with Kiermaier on the bench.

Kiermaier went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Orioles on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The 28-year-old provided one of the only highlights for the Rays, squaring up on his fourth homer of the season and second of the last four games. Kiermaier has hit safely in each contest during that span as well, and he now has back-to-back multi-hit efforts for the first time this season. It may be a sign that the Gold Glover's bat is finally starting to awaken after his return from thumb surgery June 19, and he's now raised his season average 39 points during July after going 6-for-38 over his first 10 games back.

Kiermaier went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

The center fielder has had a tough July, hitting .203 (15-for-74) on the month, but two of his three homers on the season have come in the last nine games. If he can stay healthy, Kiermaier could improve significantly on his .529 OPS over the final two-plus months.

Kiermaier (foot) will man center field and bat atop the order against the Yankees on Monday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier is back in the starting lineup after missing the past two games due to a bone bruise on his right foot. The 28-year-old has been dealing with this issue since early April, so there's a chance it will pop up again in the future, though he anticipated that he would be around "100 percent" heading into this three-game set with New York. Across 36 games this year, he's hit .183 with a .548 OPS.

Kiermaier (foot) received a cortisone injection and expects to return Monday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier underwent an MRI on Saturday morning which confirmed the bone bruise on his right foot. The 28-year-old has been dealing with the issue since fouling a ball off his foot in early April, but Friday was apparently the worst it felt this season. Mallex Smith will shift over to center field for the Rays on Saturday, with Jake Bauers starting in left field.