The former Tampa Bay Rays star left the World Series lineup for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Former Tampa Bay Rays star Kevin Kiermaier has been left off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ World Series roster. Midfielder Miguel Rojas was too injured to play in the NLCS, but returned to the lineup for the Fall Classic, which apparently forced Kiermaier to leave the field.

It’s certainly good that Los Angeles got Rojas back, but Kiermaier could provide value late in games as a defensive replacement or as a running back. In case of injury, he can return to the squad.

Kiermaier got four hits during the NLCS, going 0-for-2 with two runs scored. Unless he is added to the World Series lineup at some point, these NLCS appearances will be the last of his career. He signaled earlier this summer that he would retire at the end of the season.

He spent 10 years in Rays and helped them reach the World Series in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Signed with Blue Eggs for 2023, then re-signed through the 2024 season before being traded to Los Angeles at the trade deadline.

As a hitter, Kiermaier has a lifetime average of .246. He hit just .197 for both organizations this season. His best offensive seasons came early in his career, when he hit .263 in 2014 and 2015.

The first game of the World Series will begin on Friday night at 8:08 p.m. ET. The Dodgers will send Jack Flaherty to the mound against Gerrit Cole.

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