In order to clear room on the 25 and 40-man rosters ahead of Kevin Kiermaier’s activation from the DL, the Rays have designated Rob Refsnyder for assignment.

The Tampa Bay Rays have designated infielder/outfielder Rob Refsnyder for assignment ahead of the activation of centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier from the 60-day DL.

The 27 year-old Refsnyder received a 40-game trial run in Tampa Bay, however, he failed to produce at a convincing clip at the plate — something that has plagued him over his career.

While Refsnyder drew walks at an excellent 17.5% clip in 103 plate appearances for the Rays, he performed to an overall .167 BA/.314 OBP/.274 SLG/.588 OPS/74 wRC+ slash line, with two homers, 10 runs and five RBI. He’s a lifetime 68 wRC+ hitter in 423 big league plate appearances.

Refsnyder was facing diminished playing time due to Kiermaier’s return. He played primarily against lefties, and that role is now likely to be filled by Johnny Field, who will platoon left-field with Mallex Smith.

The Rays could have instead designated Carlos Gomez or a pitcher; or as Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) suggested, they could have sent down Field and created the 40-man opening by dropping someone who is in the minors.

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