Though it was a voluntary and very light workout, about a dozen Rays players took the field at Tropicana Field on Monday, signaling a “step in the right direction,” according to manager Kevin Cash.

“I think they were excited just to get back to something that they’re used to, given that it was unusual circumstances,” Cash said. “It was good to see smiling faces.”

It was the first voluntary workout staged by the Rays since March 17, when the club decided to leave its Spring Training complex in Port Charlotte, Fla., after receiving guidance from Major League Baseball.

Before entering the Trop on Monday, players and coaches were asked a handful of questions by head athletic trainer Joe Benge, in order to gain a sense of where the players have been and what they have done during the coronavirus pandemic. They were also required to get their temperature checked and were greeted with hand sanitizing stations inside the stadium.

Once inside, players were only allowed to play catch, run on the field and lift some free weights that were brought out. The clubhouse, batting cages and gym were off limits. The players weren’t required to wear a mask during the workouts, but all coaches and members of the training staff were.

Tampa Bay isn’t the only team that has begun voluntary workouts. The Astros and Marlins have held workouts over the past week, with more teams reportedly preparing to begin their own.

Austin Meadows, Willy Adames, Manuel Margot, Diego Castillo, Yonny Chirinos, Jose Alvarado, Michael Perez, Jose Martinez, Ryan Yarbrough, Brendan McKay and Nick Anderson were some of the players in attendance on Monday.

The Rays scattered the players throughout the morning, splitting them up into small groups in order to comply with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.

“I think today was a step in the right direction, just being able to show up to the field,” Meadows said. “We want to have something routine-based. It’s almost June and not being on a routine -- being able to go to the Trop today definitely felt like things were starting to move in the right direction and hopefully we can come up with something soon.”

Meadows and Cash both added that having the players at the stadium was a bit “odd,” but it also gave them a sense of understanding and excitement that the season could be starting soon. Meadows acknowledged that finding motivation has been tough over the last couple of weeks, but opening the stadium on Monday was “huge” in an effort to restore it.

“I think what we’re doing now, going in and doing a warmup, [getting] some running in and some throwing, I think that’s all you need right now,” Meadows said. “Especially with all that’s going on.”

The Rays will host more voluntary workouts on Wednesday and Friday, and the limitations will remain the same for the remainder of the week. If there is new information before next Monday, the Rays, with guidance from MLB, will determine what the players will be allowed to do.

“I think this was a really good start for a first day and a first week,” Cash said. “I know [general manager Erik Neander] has been adamant about taking it slow and precautionary. We all agree with that -- maybe take the baby steps and see where we are after the three of these [workouts].”