Aramis to play every other day in first week

MESA, Ariz. -- One day after making his spring debut, third baseman Aramis Ramirez reported no after-effects physically.

"Everything came out the way I expected," he said.

Ramirez went 2-for-2, including a bases-clearing double, with a walk against the Royals on Saturday. It was his first appearance in a game since his surgery to remove a polyp from his colon in mid-February.

The plan is for Ramirez to play every other day for a week and then be re-evaluated by the club's medical staff. He fully expects to be cleared to play on a more regular basis once the week is complete.

Ramirez's return to third base probably means utility infielder Juan Francisco, who absorbed most of the playing time in Ramirez's absence, will get more looks at first base moving forward through spring.