Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino wants to play on opening day against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium.

Pasquantino, who sustained a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain Saturday, is racing the clock in hopes of gaining medical clearance to do so. The Royals begin the 2025 regular season on Thursday and Pasquantino is doing all he can to be available.

“I plan on playing on Thursday,” Pasquantino said Monday afternoon at Globe Life Field. “That’s just me saying that, though. But that’s my plan. I plan on playing first base on Thursday. But again, that’s just me speaking as a player.”

The Royals have yet to announce a decision regarding Pasquantino’s availability for Thursday. He traveled with the team to Texas for two exhibition contests against the Rangers, but he will not play in either game while continuing to receive required treatment.

There are a few hurdles Pasquantino must clear. He is set to hit in the batting cage and will need to demonstrate his ability to run.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the club will take a cautious approach.

“I feel pretty good and he feels pretty good,” Quatraro said. “We think it’s one of those things where he is not a speed guy, and if he can tolerate baseball activities tomorrow, that will be a big step forward.”

After Monday’s game, the Royals provided another update. Quatraro said Pasquantino was able to hit in the batting cage and felt fine after additional treatment. The Royals will ramp his activity with another pre-game workout session Tuesday.

“He said he had a good day,” Quatraro said. “He took full-effort swings in the cage and he said he didn’t feel it at all. So he will be (doing) more on-field baseball activity tomorrow.”

Pasquantino is set to fill an important offensive role for KC this year. Last season, he hit .262 with 19 home runs and 97 RBIs in 131 games. He missed significant time with a right-thumb injury but was able to return for the Royals’ postseason run.

Quatraro and club staff are trying to strike a balance regarding injury management.

“We haven’t talked about that, he and I,” the manager said, “but that being said, it doesn’t mean he has to play all six games right out the gate. If we find a good day to bring him off the bench, we will try to consider that, as well.”

Pasquantino said he will listen to the Royals’ training staff and see how his body performs. He will be smart with the injury to avoid any lingering effects.

“If I can’t do it, I won’t,” he said. “I will only be out there if I can handle it.”

In the meantime, the Royals have a few options at first base. On Monday, new addition Mark Canha manned the position against the Rangers. Salvador Perez is another option.

“We will see,” Pasquantino said. “Again, no promises, but we will see what happens. I’m doing everything I can to get out to Thursday.”