Rasmus is out of the lineup Thursday against the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Rasmus has been on a tear since making his season debut May 2 after a bout with a groin injury, accumulating five extra-base hits (including three homers) in 25 at-bats while supplying eight RBI and seven runs. He looks to have entrenched himself as the Rays' primary option in left field, but he'll still occasionally sit out against tough lefties like Jason Vargas, who will take the hill for the Royals in the series finale. Peter Bourjos enters the lineup in Rasmus' place and will bat ninth.