Duffy's current physical setbacks may not be directly related to his surgically repaired heel according to manager Kevin Cash, The Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy's progress from his surgery has appeared to stagnate this spring, but Cash mentioned Friday that the issues may lie with the tendons and muscles in the shortstop's ankle and calf. The atrophy that may have come about in the post-surgical period could be the culprit behind Duffy's slow recovery, which has led to him missing all of spring training.

Duffy (heel) is expected to visit the doctor who performed his surgery to see if he needs to try a different rehab program, the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has not made much progress with strengthening his surgically repaired heel, and remains without a target date for returning to game action. Manager Kevin Cash said some of Duffy's issues may not be related to the surgery, which could be a good thing, and the Rays are hopeful that a timetable clears up in the next couple of days. Tim Beckham figures to open the season as the starting shortstop until Duffy returns to full health.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that Duffy (heel) isn't being ruled out for Opening Day, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy hasn't quite recovered from September surgery on his left heel quite as quickly as the Rays anticipated, but the infielder is said to have made improvement with his condition in recent days. The Rays likely won't have a better read on his status for the start of the regular season until he draws closer to playing in Grapefruit League games, though it's still unclear when that may come to fruition. Until Duffy is back in action, Tim Beckham and Nick Franklin will handle most of the duties at shortstop.

Duffy (heel) will push back his spring debut from mid-March as his recovery progresses slower than expected, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The progression could impact Duffy's status for Opening Day in what would be a huge blow to the Rays' lineup. The 26-year-old has been brought along incrementally after undergoing surgery in September, but it appears the process hasn't been quick enough to meet his projected return date. It's worth keeping tabs on reserve infielders Nick Franklin and Tim Beckham, though there's still plenty of spring left for Duffy to make a return.

Duffy (heel) fielded ground balls Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The tentative plan is for Duffy to start playing in games around the middle of March. As long as he continues progressing without any setbacks, it's entirely possible that Duffy will be ready to take on the starting spot at shortstop by Opening Day.

Duffy reported that his surgically repaired left heel felt good after his first batting practice session of the spring, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy had tracked pitches in Monday's workout, and as expected, was a full participant in Tuesday's batting practice session. The Rays' shortstop's workload will continue to be carefully managed, but progressively ramped up as the spring unfolds.

Duffy (heel), who is being brought along slowly after September surgery, tracked pitches Monday and may participate in his first batting practice session Tuesday, Marc Topkin of Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Kevin Cash has already declared that he may hold Duffy out of early spring training games, and the recovering shortstop is also being brought along slowly in workouts. Batting practice would represent another notable step in Duffy's progress towards being fully prepared for the rigors of manning shortstop on an everyday basis in the coming season.

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

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old shortstop will be a pivotal piece of the Rays infield in the coming season, so the team may unsurprisingly tread carefully with him early on. Duffy appeared in 21 games for Tampa last season after coming over at the trade deadline from San Francisco, slashing .258/.310/.357 with 14 doubles, two triples, five homers and 28 RBI over a combined 366 plate appearances.

Duffy, who underwent season-ending left heel surgery on Sept. 9, says he's "looking at 30 days" with respect to being at full speed, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Duffy is currently buoyed by the fact that he received a positive report from his most recent doctor's visit, which came last week. The 26-year-old shortstop is encouraged by the progress of his recovery, and believes the surgery has effectively rid him of heel discomfort that dated back approximately a decade to his days playing high school ball. Duffy is penciled in as the Rays' everyday shortstop in 2017 and will utilize spring training to acclimate his foot to the different movements he'll regularly engage in on the diamond.

Rays Vice President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom stated that Duffy (heel) should be good to go for spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a very good sign, as it seems to confirm reports from December that the infielder was running ahead of schedule in his rehab process from surgery in September. As long as everything goes as planned during Grapefruit League action, Duffy should act primarily as Tampa Bay's starting shortstop during the 2017 campaign.