Rays Report: KK scratched again, Smith makes debut

Kevin Kiermaier was in today's lineup vs. the visiting Tigers. Now he's not.

The center fielder was scratched for the stiff neck that kept him out of Wednesday's game.

"I can't look left," Kiermaier said.

He said the neck feels better today. He's not sure when he'll return to the field but doesn't expect it to be long term

"In the snap of the finger it can be better," he added.

In his place is Mallex Smith, who will make his spring debut. The outfielder acquired late in the offseason from Seattle (acquired earlier that day from Atlanta) has been held back because of an issue with his left side.

Smith said he was scheduled to play Saturday.

Willy Adames starts at shortstop for the Rays.

Tim Beckham makes his second start of his career in left field. He started there Wednesday.

LHP Ryan Yarbrough will start for the Rays.

Here are the lineups:

TIGERS

Presley LF

Collins DH

Castellanos 3B

Moya RF

Jones CF

Ficociello 1B

McCann C

Machado SS

Perez 2B

Matthew Boyd LHP

RAYS

Dickerson DH

Souza Jr. RF

Longoria 3B

Miller 2B

Weeks Jr. 1B

Beckham LF

Smith CF

Maile C

Adames SS

Yarbrough LHP