PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Throughout the spring, when Willy Adames gets a base hit, he stares over at the Rays' dugout, puts his index and middle finger up to his eye and does Emilio Bonifacio's signature "Lo Viste" sign.

For Adames, who played with Bonifacio in the Dominican Republic for the Tigres del Licey, having Bonifacio around this spring has been a "helpful" experience.

"Having Bonifacio here means a lot," Adames said. "He's the captain of our team in the Dominican Republic and just the respect we have for him. Having him here is great because we need a veteran presence on the team and he's been really helpful in certain aspects."

Having a veteran presence played a big factor in the Rays' decision to sign Bonifacio to a Minor League deal with an invite to big league camp. With Carlos Gomez no longer on the team, the 33-year old Bonifacio has served as the veteran in the clubhouse this spring, especially with a lot of the Latin players. Yandy Diaz, Guillermo Heredia, Adames and Wilmer Font are some of the players who have gravitated to Bonifacio and are often seen wearing a "Lo Viste" beanie inside the clubhouse.

For Bonifacio, the veteran role is one he’s trying to embrace, but he's also looking to show the league that he can still be a contributor to a team. In Tampa Bay's 4-2 loss to the Pirates on Monday, he entered the game late, hitting a single in his one at-bat and scoring the Rays' final run in the ninth. But due to the Rays' depth, there's only a slim chance that Bonifacio breaks onto the Opening Day roster. The two sides, however, could agree to keep Bonifacio in the organization, or another team could look to add the veteran.

"I think we were very honest with Emilio that we have a lot of players between Triple-A and the big leagues that play his spots," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "But we heard he's an off-the-charts guy, and why not bring a guy like that in the clubhouse and let him work with some of the young players.

"We also want to be here to put him in a good spot. Getting some big league at-bats will help his career and probably get some opportunities, whether they come with us or somebody else."

Bonifacio spent most of the '18 season playing independent ball with the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League, but he also played five games in Triple-A after signing with the Brewers organization in August. This spring, Bonifacio is hitting .375 with a stolen base.

"I just want to show that I still have something left in the tank," Bonifacio said. "I still feel like I can help a team win, which is what I think is most important. Ideally, I'm able to stick around with the team, but with my experience, I fully understand how it goes."

Regardless of what happens over the next week, Bonifacio has come away impressed with the reception he has received in the clubhouse.

"I saw the roster when I got here and the age of the group. Honestly, they've made me feel like I'm their age," Bonifacio smiled. "Everyone has been amazing."