With just two games to go in the 2024 regular season, the Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to avoid any more injuries before they head into the postseason.
The Dodgers are already playing with a short roster as Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas are not playing as they recover from injuries of their own. With Rojas out, that pushed Kevin Kiermaier into a start role on Saturday as he started in center field while Tommy Edman was at shortstop.
In the fourth inning, Kiermaier singled to left field, driving in Will Smith to put the Dodgers up 5-2. The 34-year-old center fielder attempted to take second on the play, but was thrown out trying to take the extra bag.
To make matters worse, as he slid into the second base bag, Kiermaier’s left index finger jammed into the base. After being tagged out, he laid on the field for an extended period before getting up and walking with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and head trainer Thomas Albert to the dugout while holding his finger.
Kiermaier was replaced by Andy Pages in center field at the start of the next half inning. The Dodgers have not yet announced the specifics of the injury.
The veteran center field has not had a strong offensive year, batting just .197 with five home runs, 26 RBI, 31 runs scored, six stolen bases and a .550 on-base plus slugging.
Still, Kiermaier has impacted the Dodgers with his glove and clubhouse presence. Despite his age, Kiermiaer is still one of the best defenders in MLB, giving the Dodgers an element on their team in the outfield that they’ve lacked.
Roberts also credited Kiermaier for being a positive influence on some of the younger players, including Gavin Lux, with how they play and run the bases.
His role for the postseason was in question with one player needing to be cut from the active roster once the National League Division Series begins, but he still would have been on the taxi squad if not on the roster.
Dodgers ‘pumped life’ into Kevin Kiermaier
Kiermaier has been considering retirement after the season as the game has been wearing on his body. However, being traded to the Dodgers and playing for a postseason club has been a rejuvenating experience for him.
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