Rasmus (groin) could be held out of early spring training games according to manager Kevin Cash, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a pair of October surgeries that addressed core muscle and hip issues, Rasmus will be handled with care early spring training. The veteran slugger slashed just .206/.286/.355 with the Astros in 2016, but did smack 10 doubles and 15 homers, while also driving in 54 runs. He's projected to slot in as both a left fielder and designated hitter in the coming season for the Rays.

Rays Vice President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom stated that Rasmus (groin) "will be ready for Opening Day or soon after," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran outfielder underwent a pair of surgeries in October to address a core muscle injury and a hip issue, but the Rays seem to be optimistic that he can return to form in time for much of the 2017 campaign. Once he's fully recovered, Rasmus seems to be in line to play the strong side of a platoon in right field wihile also spending a good portion of time as Tampa Bay's designated hitter, although expectations for him should be tempered until he can prove he's back to his previous form at the plate.

Rasmus (groin) agreed to a deal with the Rays on Monday, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmus is coming off of unproductive, injury-riddled season with the Astros in which he hit just .206/.286/.355. The Rays are betting on the veteran outfielder to bounce back to his 2014 and 2015 performances in which he posted an OPS of .735 and .789, respectively. Rasmus - who struggles to hit left-handed pitching - will likely slot in on the strong side of a left field platoon with Nick Franklin. He underwent groin surgery this offseason but should be good to go for spring training.

Rasmus was not tendered a qualifying offer by Monday's deadline, making him a free agent, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports.

EDGE Analysis

After a hot start, Rasmus stumbled through an injury-plagued season to post some of the worst numbers of his career, leaving the Astros no choice but to non-tender him. The 30-year-old does tout the ability to play all three outfield positions as well as some nice left-handed pop, so he could get a decent contract with a team willing to take a risk on his health status heading into the 2017 campaign.

Rasmus (groin) had a pair of surgeries on October 18 to address a hip issue and a core muscle injury, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmus was plagued by multiple injuries in 2016, but it seems like he's spending the early portion of his offseason doing maintenance on various parts of his body. The hip operation was to shave off a bone spur and repair the labrum in his left hip, while the other was to repair a core muscle. Although it sounds like a lot, the free-agent outfielder is expected to be running at 100 percent by January and back to full strength prior to spring training. This could affect his ability to sign with teams over the winter, but it seems like there shouldn't be a problem for fantasy purposes.

Rasmus is expected to miss the rest of the season as he has left the team to get a second opinion on a groin injury,

EDGE Analysis

Rasmus has been unavailable since Sept. 19 and said he wasn't "feeling like himself" on the field. He also didn't look like himself, as he hit just 7-for-42 (.167) since returning Aug. 30 from an ear injury. It is currently looking unlikely that Rasmus will return to the Astros next season.

Rasmus (undisclosed) remains unavailable Saturday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The situation surrounding Rasmus remains clouded, but he'll be unavailable Saturday, marking his sixth consecutive absence. It's unclear when, or if, he'll return to the field this season, and the Astros appear to be handling the situation on a game-to-game basis.

Rasmus (undisclosed) remains unavailable Friday, Jordan Ray of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmus is sitting in favor of Tony Kemp in left field and manager A.J. Hinch later confirmed that Rasmus is once again unavailable in any capacity. It's uncertain what's going on with Rasmus exactly -- the team has not provided any official diagnosis -- but Rasmus told the Houston Chronicle earlier in the week, "I just haven't been feeling like myself out there on the field" since his Aug. 10 surgery to remove a cyst from his ear.

Rasmus (general soreness) remains sidelined Friday.

EDGE Analysis

He is essentially out indefinitely, as the Astros have not provided an exact diagnosis, but he is expected to still be dealing with issues lingering from having a cyst removed from his ear last month. Tony Kemp will start in left field and bat seventh Friday.

Rasmus is absent from the Astros lineup Thursday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

The outfielder said earlier that he'd probably miss Tuesday and Wednesday action, and that turned out to be true. He's still feeling the effects of having a cyst removed from his ear last month. Even whenever Rasmus is ready to go, manager A.J. Hinch probably will limit his playing time anyway to matchups with right-handed starting pitchers. The impending free agent's torrid seven-homer opening month feels like a distant memory when you look at his .206/.286/.355 overall line.