CF B.J. Upton said recovery from left shoulder surgery is going well but he expects to miss the first week of the Tampa Bay Rays regular season.

"It's coming along a lot faster that we thought it would but at the same time we can't rush it," he said Wednesday.

"I'm hoping (to be ready opening day), but if not hopefully when they get back off the road to play New York. They said cold weather is probably going to be an issue with it, make it ache a little bit. So we're going to be careful with it and hopefully when they get back off the road I can start up."

Other notes from a player availability Wednesday:

* 3B Evan Longoria said he was contacted about playing for Mexico in the WBC but said he would prefer to play for the U.S. team if he was going to participate.

* LHP Scott Kazmir has gained close to 20 pounds since the end of last season due to an increased off-season conditioning and strengthening program designed to improve his balance.

Also, veteran RHP Paul Byrd told foxsports.com he plans to sit out the first half of the season with hopes of joining a team for the stretch run. According to Fox's Ken Rosenthal, his preferred teams are the Rays, Braves and Marlins.