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Rays DFA Rob Refsnyder to make room for Kevin Kiermaier

 
Rays outfielder Rob Refsnyder makes a sliding catch in the third inning of Sunday's game against the Mariners.
(MONICA HERNDON | Times)
Rays outfielder Rob Refsnyder makes a sliding catch in the third inning of Sunday's game against the Mariners. (MONICA HERNDON | Times)
Published June 19, 2018|Updated June 19, 2018

The Rays made official after Monday's game that CF Kevin Kiermaier would be activated on Tuesday.

And to make room on the 40- and 25 man rosters, they designated for assignment OF Rob Refsnyder.

Acquired from the Indians for cash considerations just before opening day, Refsnyder made 31 starts and 40 appearances overall, hitting .167 with a .588 OPS. He was hitless in his last 18 at-bats and 2-for-his-last-26.

Refsnyder's opportunity for playing time was going to be severely diminished with Kiermaier's return. Refsnyder played primarily against lefties, but that role is now likely to be filled by Johnny Field, who will be relegated to something of a platoon in with Mallex Smith in left.

Other options for the Rays would have been to either DFA Carlos Gomez, who extended his meager hitting streak to four games, or a pitcher; or they could have sent down Field and created the 40-man opening by dropping someone who is in the  minors.