NELSON CRUZ NEWS

Mariners keeping Dipoto, Servais in the fold with new deals

The Seattle Mariners have promoted general manager Jerry Dipoto to president of baseball operations and signed manager Scott Servais to a multiyear contract extension, keeping the...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Schwindel, Happ homer; Cubs hold on to beat Twins 3-1

Frank Schwindel homered for the second straight game, Ian Happ added a towering homer into the third deck, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Minnesota Twins 3-1

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Franco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1

Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiño pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won...

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wendle slam, 6 RBIs; Rays finish 18-1 vs Orioles this year

Joey Wendle hit a pair of homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs to lead the Tampa Bay Rays over the Baltimore Orioles 12-8 for a three-game sweep

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Resting Sunday Cruz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Cruz will take seat for the day game after a night game, marking his second absence from the lineup in four contests. Given that the Rays hold a four-game lead over the Astros for the American League's best record, the team should have the luxury of giving the 41-year-old Cruz more frequent maintenance days down the stretch with the aim of keeping him fresh for the playoffs.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

McClanahan scheduled to start for Tampa Bay against Baltimore

The Orioles will send Matt Harvey to the mound Friday and the Rays will give Shane McClanahan the start

AUGUST 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notes: Sanó on Cruz at 1B; Maeda update BOSTON -- Miguel Sanó was walking out of the hospital on Monday with his newborn daughter, Danea, when he got a call from Nelson Cruz. "Hey,...

AUGUST 26, 2021 • MLB.COM

Idle Wednesday Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Cruz returned from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday and picked up his first career start at first base, going 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI in the Rays' 3-1 win. Tampa Bay seemingly isn't ready to commit to Cruz playing the field on a full-time basis in National League parks, however, so he'll take a seat for the series finale in Philadelphia.

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Wheeler scheduled to start as Philadelphia hosts Tampa Bay

The Phillies will roll out Zack Wheeler to the mound Wednesday and the Rays will give Ryan Yarbrough the start

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cruz leads Rays past Phillies with bat and, yes, mitt

Nelson Cruz returned from the COVID-19 list, played first base for the first time in his career and hit a tiebreaking two-run double in the eighth inning for the Tampa Bay Rays, wh...

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

New position, same bat: Cruz comes through PHILADELPHIA -- The position Nelson Cruz played Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park was new. The way the first-time first baseman performed...

AUGUST 25, 2021 • MLB.COM

Rays activate Nelson Cruz from COVID-19 list, place Ji-Man Choi on 10-day IL The Tampa Bay Rays activated slugger Nelson Cruz from the COVID-19 injured list and put first baseman Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day IL before Tu...

AUGUST 25, 2021 • UPI.COM

Starting at first base Tuesday Cruz is making his first career start at first base Tuesday against the Phillies, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact It seemed likely that Cruz would begin Tuesday's game on the bench in the NL park, but instead the 41-year-old will make his first professional appearance on the infield after being limited to outfield and DH duties during the 1851 games to begin his big-league career. Cruz will bat second against southpaw Ranger Suarez following his activation from the COVID-19 injured list.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Officially activated Tuesday Cruz (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Phillies, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The veteran slugger was placed on the COVID-19 IL on Sunday after feeling sick, but subsequent tests came back negative. The club revealed Monday that Cruz was expected to be activated for the series opener in Philadelphia, and now they have made space for him on the 26-man roster by placing Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list. Despite his activation, Cruz seems likely to begin Tuesday's game on the bench with there being no DH in the NL park.

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

LEADING OFF: Padres try new pitch, Reds-Brewers, O's skid

One day after firing pitching coach Larry Rothschild, the slumping San Diego Padres begin a three-game series Tuesday night against the NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers

AUGUST 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Expected to return Tuesday Cruz (illness) is expected to be activated from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Cruz landed on the COVID-19 IL on Sunday since he was feeling ill, but his quick return signals that he hasn't tested positive for the virus. The Rays begin a two-game series in a National League park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, and the 41-year-old is a candidate to fill in at first base since Ji-Man Choi (hamstring) will be placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Rays place slugger Nelson Cruz on COVID-19 injured list The Tampa Bay Rays have placed slugger Nelson Cruz on the COVID-19 injured list.

AUGUST 23, 2021 • KANSASCITY.COM

Orioles plunge to new depths on 18-game losing skid

The Baltimore Orioles have lost 18 games in a row, and somehow that doesn’t do their skid justice

AUGUST 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays rout White Sox 9-0, take 2 of 3 in series; Archer hurt

Backup catcher Francisco Mejía had a three-run double, five Tampa Bay pitchers combined on a seven-hitter, and the Rays beat the Chicago White Sox 9-0 in a matchup of AL division l...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

James Fegan: The Rays have had a busy Sunday. Nelson Cruz... - The Athletic The Rays have had a busy Sunday. Nelson Cruz was placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Ji-Man Choi was removed after a first inning double wi...

AUGUST 22, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Rays placed slugger Nelson Cruz on COVID-19 injured list The Tampa Bay Rays have placed slugger Nelson Cruz on the COVID-19 injured list

AUGUST 22, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Rays place Cruz on COVID-19 injured list; Archer, Choi exit

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed slugger Nelson Cruz on the COVID-19 injured list

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goes on COVID-19 IL The Rays placed Cruz (illness) on the COVID-19-related injured list Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact Cruz was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's series finale with the White Sox due to the illness, and though Tampa Bay has since moved him to the IL, it's unclear whether he tested positive for the coronavirus or is being deactivated as a precaution. Until more information is available, fantasy managers should prepare for Cruz to miss the Rays' entire five-game week, which includes two contests in Philadelphia and three in Baltimore. The Rays called up right-handed reliever Chris Mazza from Triple-A Durham to take Cruz's spot on the active roster.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched with illness The Rays scratched Cruz from the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to an illness, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Impact Tampa Bay hasn't offered specifics on the 41-year-old's slugger's ailment, so his status will bear monitoring heading into the Rays' upcoming five-game week that begins Tuesday in Philadelphia. Austin Meadows will get a turn as Tampa Bay's designated hitter in Cruz's stead Sunday.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Archer expected to start as Tampa Bay hosts Chicago

The Rays will send Chris Archer to the mound Sunday and the White Sox plan to give Reynaldo Lopez the start

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS