Swisher (knee) is playing games in extended spring training but hasn't started a rehab assignment yet, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Indians want Swisher to get in consecutive games in the outfield before rejoining the team so he'll need at least a couple of games in a rehab assignment. The Indians are banged up but don't expect them to rush Swisher back.

Swisher (knee) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday, Joe Reedy of FOX Sports Ohio reports.

The move is merely procedural, as it's long been known that Swisher would start his season on the disabled list. He's been limited to minor-league games at spring training to allow for a backdated DL stint, with the Indians hoping to have Swisher available by mid-April.

Swisher (knee) went 2-for-2 with a walk in a minor league game Friday.

Swisher could be limited to minor league action for the last couple of games this spring and will open the season on the DL but could return by the middle of April if things go well in his rehab.

Swisher (knee), who will open the season on the 15-day DL, had a pair of hits in his first game action of the spring Wednesday, MLB.com reports. "I'm just going to come back when I feel healthy. Do I feel like I could go and DH for this team and contribute right now? Sure, but that's not all I want to do. I want to make sure I'm able to go to the outfield. I want to make sure I'm able to go to first base and make sure all my movements are fluid and smooth," Swisher said concerning a possible return date.

Swisher will be with the team for Opening Day before heading back to Arizona to resume his rehab but a return date still isn't known. The Indians want him to appear in back-to-back games in the outfield as part of his final rehab hurdle before coming off the DL.

Swisher (knee) is expected to see his first action of the spring as the DH on Wednesday but will still start the season on the 15-day DL, MLB.com reports.

The Indians know that Swisher's DL stint won't be impacted by his appearances in exhibition games as he's expected to need more than 10 days at the start of the regular season so there's little reason to hold him back now if he feels ready.

Swisher (knee) increased the intensity of his running in a minor league game Friday but is expected to open the season on the DL, MLB.com reports.

Swisher is set to work out with the team Sunday but his next game appearance looks like it may wait until next week.

Swisher (knee) played in a minor league game Thursday, Cleveland.com reports.

Swisher took two important steps over the last few days, as he completed some sliding drills Wednesday and Thursday. He's still unlikely to be ready by Opening Day, but a debut in early-to-mid April should be in play.

Swisher (knee) added sliding to his rehab program Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Swisher continues to progress in his return from double knee surgery, and at this point it's very unlikely he's ready to go for Opening Day. However, he appears close to returning to game action, and he could see time in a minor league game Thursday or over the weekend.

Swisher won't be ready for Opening Day, The Plain Dealer reports.

Swisher is still in the process of recovering from double knee surgery in the offseason and ran the bases for the first time without braces Monday, and later took part in a minor league intrasquad game. He's expected to run the bases aggressively again Tuesday before playing in a minor league game Wednesday or Thursday. When healthy, he's expected to serve as the team's right fielder in 2015.

Swisher (knee) said Sunday's baserunning workout went great, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

This was the first time he has ran the bases without his knee braces since the double knee surgery, which has to be considered a big step. He is still in the recovery process, but should get some work in minor league games in the near future.

Swisher (knee) will run the bases again Sunday and could be cleared for action for minor league games next week, MLB.com reports.

Swisher felt good Saturday after running the bases for the first time Friday. Expect him to see most of his action early on in minor league games as he works his way back to full health.

Swisher (knee) hopes to run the bases again Friday after having his workout washed out due to rain Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Swisher has responded well in the two subsequent days since first running the bases Tuesday but remains very doubtful for Opening Day as he works his way back from knee surgery.

Swisher (knee) felt "good, not great" after running the bases for the first time this spring Tuesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Swisher is going to need to make rapid progress if he wants to be ready for Opening Day given his current status. A lot will depend on how much progress he can make over the remainder of this week.

Swisher (knees) is scheduled to run the bases for the first time this spring on Tuesday, mlb.com's Jordan Bastian reports.

This is one of the bigger steps in the rehab process, but with Swisher still at least a few days away from playing in games, he's unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. He did recently get some at-bats in a simulated game, and he's been taking batting practice since the end of February.

Swisher (knee) had four at-bats in a simulated game Thursday but still hasn't appeared in a game this spring, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Swisher's availability for Opening Day is very much in doubt given his current progress and the Indians have been adamant that they won't rush him back just to meet that deadline. He'll need to ramp up quickly if he wants to be ready for the season opener.

Swisher (knee) was scheduled to participate in some drills Sunday but there's still no certain date on his return to game action, MLB.com reports. "He's got to clear hurdles, then he's got to repeat it and he's got to handle some of the day-to-day stuff," manager Terry Francona said. "It'd be great to have everybody out there, but I don't think it makes much sense to push a guy when he had both knees done. Let's let him feel good about himself first."

Swisher and the Indians had originally targeted a mid-March return and there's no indication as of yet that's going to slip but he's certainly not ahead of schedule at this point.

Swisher (knee) continues to progress well through a variety of running drills, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Swisher hasn't progressed as rapidly as teammate Brandon Moss but he still has some time to get himself for Opening Day following double knee surgery last August.

Swisher (knee) was able to take live batting practice Saturday for the first time since he underwent knee surgery last August, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The Indians are hopeful that Swisher will be ready for exhibition games by the middle of March with an eye towards towards being ready for Opening Day but won't hesitate to back off that plan if necessary.

Swisher (knee) participated in some restricted running activities Thursday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Swisher has been able to take regular batting practice but has remained limited on what running he can do thanks to offseason knee surgery. The Indians remain hopeful he'll be ready for games by mid-March.

Swisher (knee) will enter camp unrestricted with hitting and throwing, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Swisher is on a structured running and workout program, and he's scheduled to begin outfield and baserunning work in roughly two weeks. Barring a setback, he'll resume game activity in the middle of next month. Swisher projects to serve primarily as a DH and right fielder this season, but he could also see time at first base.