Chiropractor eases Kiermaier's neck pain

ARLINGTON -- Kevin Kiermaier's pain in his neck had really become a pain in the neck -- until he visited the Rangers' chiropractor on Wednesday. A day after receiving "by far the most enjoyable adjustment I've ever had," the Rays' center fielder was able to go through running and stretching drills, and he declared himself available as an option off the bench for Thursday's series finale in Arlington.

A couple of hours before Wednesday's game, Kiermaier consulted with Dr. Jerrod Wright, the Rangers' chiropractor. That's his formal title. To Kiermaier, Wright will forever be known as a "game-changer."

"He sat there and cracked my neck," Kiermaier said. "I knew it was going to benefit me, and he did a great job. I look forward to seeing him again right before the game."

Kiermaier has not played in the Rangers series due to the neck soreness. He'll fly with the team to Anaheim, where he hopes to find his name back in the lineup at some point during the three-game weekend set with the Angels. He also hasn't ruled out visiting more chiropractors during that segment of the Rays' road trip.

"Hopefully I'll feel close to 70 to 80 percent in the next couple of days," Kiermaier said.

"He's making progress -- encouraged by that," manager Kevin Cash said. "I'm glad he's feeling better. I'd like to find a way to win a game where we can give him one more day. But if he says he's good, then we'll have some options late in the game [Thursday]."

Chirinos, Lowe progressing
Yonny Chirinos, who is working his way back after being sidelined with inflammation in his right middle finger, threw batting practice at Charlotte Sports Park to infielder Brandon Lowe, who is currently rehabbing his right shin and left quadriceps. According to Cash, the session went well, though Lowe, after running three or four days in a row, experienced minor fatigue in his legs, which was to be expected.

Chirinos will throw a bullpen Friday and will pitch to Lowe in a simulated game situation Monday. Lowe will face a batting practice thrower at Tropicana Field Friday.

Snell throws two scoreless
In his second rehab outing for Triple-A Durham on Thursday, Blake Snell threw two scoreless innings, striking out three during Game 3 of the Governors’ Cup finals between the Bulls and the Columbus Clippers.

Snell is slated to meet the Rays in Anaheim this weekend, and he could soon be activated from the injured list. Snell had arthroscopic surgery on July 29 to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.

“He said he felt significantly better in this go-around than the [last] one,” Cash said. “We'll get him back here and discuss what the options are.”

Kiermaier named Clemente nominee
Major League Baseball on Thursday announced all 30 club nominees for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes exceptional community service efforts. The Rays' nominee is Kiermaier, who has been involved in many charitable causes throughout his Rays career.

• VOTE NOW: Cast your ballot for the Clemente Award

"We have certain duties and certain responsibilities, and some take more action than others," Kiermaier said. "If you see first-hand impact you can make on some people, it makes you want to do it more and more, to feel good about yourself and also making some of these people forget what they're going through for a little bit of time."

Asked if any particular moment stood out to him throughout his years of community contributions, Kiermaier recalled one of his first hospital visits during his rookie season in 2014. He encountered a 5-year-old boy who had taken to the new Rays center fielder.

"Right when I walked into his room, he hopped up out of his bed and came up and jumped in my arms," Kiermaier said. "His parents started crying, and he started crying. It was just a moment that was like the first 'Wow' moment for me in my big league career. This is the kind of effect you can have on certain people of all ages."

Kiermaier is a strong supporter of the Children’s Dream Fund, a foundation based in St. Petersburg that makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses. For the past five years, he has participated in Rays on the Runway, a charity fashion show benefiting the Children’s Dream Fund, featuring Rays players and their wives walking the fashion runway with "Dream Children." Over the past five years, Rays on the Runway has raised over $500,000 to help make these dreams come true.

This year, furthering his support of the Children’s Dream Fund, Kiermaier donated $25,000 and established "Kiermaier’s Kids" in order to fully fund dreams for five ill children. Through his donation, Kiermaier's Kids and their families visited Disney World and Give Kids The World, setting sail on a Disney cruise and receiving a complete car makeover.

Kiermaier is also one of the team’s biggest supporters of the Rays' Tuesday's Champion program. Every Tuesday home game, the Rays host a child from the Children’s Dream Fund or Make-a-Wish Foundation to give ill children and their families a once-in-a-lifetime baseball experience.