DUNEDIN, Florida - Edwin Encarnacion is suffering from lower back pain and won't be appearing in Grapefruit League games any time soon.

The problem, Encarnacion said, is on his right side. He began to experience soreness a couple of days ago, a product of "a lot of swings" early in camp, according to manager John Gibbons.

"There's no damage in there," said Gibbons.

Encarnacion hadn't heard the prognosis at the time he addressed the media, before nine o'clock on Tuesday morning. Asked whether the MRI he had on Monday, which ultimately revealed inflammation, was strictly precautionary, Encarnacion sounded more concerned.

"It's something I want to make sure is right and I want to make sure before I continue," said Encarnacion.

Encarnacion never has gone on the disabled list due to a back injury but he has missed handfuls of games, including in 2011, May and October of 2012 and June and September of 2014. In each of those instances, Encarnacion didn't miss more than three consecutive games.

Before returning to game action, Encarnacion will have to take part in baseball activities (live batting practice, infield work) and so it's unlikely he'll play again for at least another week to 10 days.

The 32-year-old Encarnacion, who's 112 home runs over the last three seasons, wasn't panicked over the time line. The priority to get the injury healed.

"I have time for getting ready and I've got a lot of time to be ready before the season starts," said Encarnacion.

CECIL PLAYS CATCH

Brett Cecil, who's yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game after suffering inflammation in his left shoulder, played catch as scheduled on Tuesday morning.

He remains days away from game action. The next step in Cecil's progression would be a bullpen session followed by a day-after assessment of how his shoulder is feeling.

SAUNDERS TAKES LIVE BATTING PRACTICE

Michael Saunders' rehabilitation of a left knee injury continues to progress.

He was to take live batting practice, thrown by a coach, on Tuesday.

Saunders tore his meniscus stepping on a soft patch of grass covering an underground sprinkler. He underwent surgery to have 60-percent of the cartilage removed and is expected back no later than mid-April, although he's aiming to be ready for the season's first game, April 6 at Yankee Stadium.