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