Zobrist return ahead of schedule

ROGER MOONEY
rmooney@bradenton.com

ST. PETERSBURG – Rays utility infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist had the cast removed from his left thumb Monday and said he expects to be ready by Opening Day.

“I think so,” said Zobrist, who suffered a hairline fracture of the tip of his thumb sliding into second base March 9 in a game against the Reds. “In my mind I’m going to be back. I’m going to be ready to go. My goal is to play a couple of games the last week (of spring training).”

Zobrist said he will need to be able to slip his hand into a glove before he can return to a game. Right now, the thumb is still sore enough that it hurts when he squeezes his thumb against an object. He can swing a bat, though.

“Hitting-wise, my thumb is not even on the bat,” Zobrist said.

Rays manager Joe Maddon isn't ready to place Zobrist in the Opening Day roster, at least not now, anyway.

“You have to get at-bats, you have to do all the little things you need to do to get ready for the season. I’m not sure about that just yet," Maddon said. “He’s been doing everything he could do under the circumstances to stay ready. He just has not been able to hit, which would be a big factor.”

Zobrist was expected to miss four weeks with the injury, which force him out of the lineup during the first week of the season. He said last week he didn’t think he would need that long. Having the cast removed a week ahead of schedule bolstered that claim.

“I’m really excited about this,” Zobrist said.