Kiermaier (groin) will start in center field and bat eighth in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kiermaier was scratched from the Rays' spring lineup last Friday due to a sore left groin, but after resuming workouts without any major discomfort in the last few days, he'll be making his return to the starting nine less than a week after the injury first surfaced. The 31-year-old is expected to open the campaign as the Rays' primary center fielder, though he'll likely sit at least occasionally against left-handed starting pitchers.