Piper went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer during the Rays' 5-3 loss to the Orioles on Friday.
Piper gave the Rays a 3-1 lead in the second inning by smacking a two-run homer to center field off Trevor Rogers. It was the first major-league home run of Pipers' career in just his second game in the big leagues. He's unlikely to see much more playing time for Tampa Bay, given that Liam Hicks and Nick Fortes are both ahead of Piper on the depth chart.
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Rays' Kenny Piper: Set for big-league debut
Rotowire
The Rays selected Piper's contract from Double-A Montgomery on Monday. He'll start at catcher and bat eighth in the series opener against the Rockies.
The Rays traded Hunter Feduccia to the Dodgers on Monday, and while they also brought in Liam Hicks from the Marlins, Hicks won't be able to join the team in time for Monday's game. As a result, Piper was brought aboard to give the Rays another option beyond Nick Fortes at catcher, though Piper could be sent back to the minors as soon as Hicks joins the team. Piper, 28, has slashed .253/.358/.498 with 11 home runs and 11 steals in 64 games at Double-A this season.
