Duffy (back) will start at third base and bat fifth in the Tampa Bay lineup in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Boston, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy entered spring training at full strength after being sidelined for the entire 2017 season due to an injured heel, but appeared in only three Grapefruit League games before being shut down last week experiencing back spasms. The infielder downplayed the severity of the issue and was never expected to be sidelined for long, so his reentry into the lineup Tuesday should be taken as a sign that the back injury is no longer a concern. Duffy's track record on the health front provides pessimism about his ability to hold up for a full campaign, but the Rays seem content to deploy him as a full-time third baseman in 2018 while he remains healthy. He'll likely occupy a prominent spot in a Tampa Bay lineup that shipped out several key regulars earlier in the offseason.

Duffy (back) is expected to be back in action for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy was originally scratched from the previous Tuesday's game against the Orioles with bask spasms. He should have plenty of time to be fully recovered by Opening Day and should take the field as the Rays' primary third baseman.

Manager Kevin Cash said that Duffy (back) could be cleared to resume working out Friday, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy was scratched from the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against the Orioles due to what was later revealed as a back spasm, but it doesn't sound like the team is concerned it will morph into a long-term issue for the infielder. After resting Wednesday and Thursday, Duffy will see how he feels Friday before the Rays determine whether he needs an additional day or two to recuperate or if he's able to get back on the field. Duffy is expected open the regular season as the Rays' primary option at third base.

Duffy said Wednesday that he's recovering from a back spasm and expects to be sidelined for "a couple days," Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy reiterated that the injury wasn't related to the heel issues that have derailed him both of the past two seasons and noted that he expects to back in the Rays' Grapefruit League lineup before long. Despite his poor track record on the health front, Duffy projects to open the season as the team's everyday third baseman, with his strong contact skills perhaps garnering him a spot near the top of the batting order.

Duffy was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Orioles due to back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rays noted Duffy's heel had nothing to do with his removal from the lineup, which is certainly encouraging seeing as a recurring heel injury kept him on the shelf all of last season. The team will likely still choose to play it safe with him given how early it is in spring training, but it doesn't sound like this ailment will keep him sidelined from Grapefruit League action for too long.

Duffy has been scratched from Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Christian Arroyo will step in to play third in place of Duffy, who was a late removal from the lineup for an undisclosed reason. The 27-year-old missed all of last season with a nagging heel injury, so the Rays could simply be playing it safe with him given how early on it is in camp, though it will definitely be a situation to keep an eye on. More specifics regarding why Duffy was scratched should become available following Tuesday's spring contest.

Duffy is in line to enter the upcoming season as Tampa Bay's starting third baseman, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy's 2017 season was limited to three outings at High-A Charlotte, as he had to spend an extended period of time rehabbing heel and Achilles injuries. His goal for the offseason was to reach a point where he could confidently run without having any concerns about aggravating his injuries. He was able to achieve this, and will spend the spring settling back into the hot corner, a spot he's slated to occupy now that Evan Longoria is a member of the Giants.

Duffy (Achilles) is listed as the Rays' starting third baseman for the team's split-squad Grapefruit League game Friday against the Pirates, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

EDGE Analysis

There haven't been any reports in the first week of spring training that Duffy has incurred any setbacks with his left Achilles' tendon, which sidelined him for the entire 2017 campaign while he recovered from a second surgery to address the injury. After Duffy was able to get in some at-bats during the Rays' fall instructional league without incident, it's not expected he'll face many limitations this spring as he aims to win an everyday role at third base. Duffy's history of foot issues may result in him abandoning the run game this season, but if he holds down a full-time gig, his solid contact skills could earn him a spot near the top of the Rays' order and make him an asset in both runs and batting average.

Duffy (Achilles) agreed to a one-year, $930,000 deal with Tampa Bay on Friday to avoid arbitration, Roger Mooney of The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was the first offseason Duffy was an arbitration-eligible player, and he earned a $384,700 raise from his 2017 salary. The third baseman wasn't able to play in any games last year because of an Achilles injury he suffered during the 2016 campaign. He was able to resume running earlier this week and could start off the year as the Rays' everyday third baseman if he's able to demonstrate full health during spring training.

Duffy recently resumed running on a track and has been attending therapy three days a week to ensure his left Achilles' tendon is healing as expected, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Projected to open last season as the Rays' starting shortstop, Duffy never logged a single at-bat in 2017 after suffering multiple setbacks with the Achilles and ultimately requiring his second surgery to address the injury. Though he'll need to prove in the spring that his health isn't a concern, Duffy is the frontrunner to secure a full-time role at third base heading into the upcoming campaign after the Rays traded franchise icon Evan Longoria to the Giants earlier in the offseason. With a career .281 average and some modest pop, Duffy could provide decent value in the later rounds of deeper mixed and AL-only drafts if he's able to steer clear of the injury setbacks for the bulk of the 2018 campaign.