PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Veteran Colby Rasmus will start his season on the disabled list.
Rays manager Kevin Cash said earlier in the week that Rasmus, who has been used as a designated hitter but has not played the field, needed to be able to play a defensive position in order to be active for Opening Day. Rasmus is returning from offseason hip surgery.
"We've been trying to progress up to that point, but it's looking like I'm going to start on the DL," Rasmus said.
Rasmus allowed that what's preventing him from playing in the field is "nothing major."
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"But I don't feel like I'm ready to run something down in the gap for nine innings," Rasmus said. "I've been doing a lot of outfield work and it feels pretty good. But I don't feel like I'm quite to that point yet, to [be ready to] play a full nine innings and run [balls] down in the gap."
Cash said that Rasmus had "made huge strides" the last couple of days.

"We've all spent time talking with him," Cash said. "I think it's a pretty good thought process that he has, saying that when he comes out and plays the field, he wants to make sure he feels good [and that] he can go track a ball down in the gap. He's just not quite there yet. He'll continue to get his at-bats, DH-ing, and continue taking it day to day, and see how he does."
Cash said all parties were optimistic that Rasmus won't be on the DL for long.