Souza (hip) said Thursday that he is "doing great" and "about five weeks away from starting to sprint," MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old battled discomfort throughout the summer months before undergoing surgery in September; specifically, to remove tissue from a labral tear and impingement in his left hip. Souza suggested he is encouraged after talking with several players who had the same procedure done, and both Souza and the Rays expect him to be ready come spring training. He struck out in more than a third of his plate appearance again in 2016 while his walk rate fell from 10.8 percent to 6.6 percent -- Souza will be at a crossroads of sorts in 2017.