Kiermaier (back spasms) day to day after exit

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier was removed from Wednesday’s 4-3 win over the Orioles due to back spasms.

Kiermaier exited the game during his at-bat in the fifth inning after grimacing and having a quick conversation with Rays manager Kevin Cash and the training staff. Cash said Kiermaier felt the back tighten up earlier in the game but it flared up later during his at-bat.

The manager added that the team is hopeful that it’s just a day-to-day injury with Kiermaier. With left-hander John Means on the mound for the Orioles, there’s a chance the Rays rest the center fielder on Thursday.

“We knew before the at-bat that he was pretty tight,” Cash said. “He went out there and played an inning or two, and it got gradually worse throughout the game. He took a pitch and he really acted funny, kind of gingerly walking around and felt like at that time it made the most sense to get him out of here before something really flares up on him.”

Willy Adames hit in Kiermaier’s spot and Manuel Margot replaced the three-time Gold Glove Award winner in center field, shifting from left. Through 32 games, Kiermaier has five outs above average, which is the most by any outfielder in the Majors.

Kiermaier also exited Monday's 6-4 loss to the Blue Jays after being struck in the right foot by a pitch in the sixth inning. Kiermaier was held out of the starting lineup in Tuesday's series opener against the Orioles and lefty Tommy Milone, but he entered in the seventh inning.