The Rays have placed designated hitter Nelson Cruz on the COVID-19 injured list, the team announced. Right-hander Chris Mazza has been recalled from Triple-A Durham to take his active roster spot.
The team hasn’t announced whether Cruz tested positive for the virus or has simply been experiencing symptoms. Cruz was originally penciled into today’s starting lineup against the White Sox. Brett Phillips has been plugged into the lineup in his place, taking right field while bumping Austin Meadows to Cruz’s customary DH position.
Cruz is only hitting .198/.257/.448 over 96 plate appearances since being acquired by Tampa Bay in late July. He mashed at a .294/.370/.537 clip with the Twins before the trade. The Rays currently hold a four-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East race.
They could use him coming back the 100 he lost on each of his slash line.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
The rays are the most calculated trading team on the planet and get criticized at the deadline every year for not making the splashy move and going for it… this year they make that move and give up good prospects and it doesn’t pan out. Unreal
It’s a little too soon to write off Nelson.
Absolutely. Wait till October.
no one on this site criticises the Rays
Exactly. All you ever hear is that “you should never trade with the Rays–they never lose a trade.” Now, if they only gave out a WS trophy for trades….
For those paying attention, Cruz is a streaky player. He’s been pretty consistent putting together very productive seasons for a long time. There is still time left for Cruz to pick it up.
@kc38 What team are you a GM for? All off season and in season trades have panned out. The 1st place Ray’s will soon get back their bullpen, in which the current guys in the pen would say “hold my beer”.
Simmer down, kc38. Since Cruz came over, our lineup has been a force. He’ll be fine and so will the offense.
You can’t quantify what Boom Stick has meant to that lineup; you’d rather have Mike Brousseau (nice story, below average player) as your everyday DH? And neither Strotman or Ryan profiles better than back of the rotation guys (albeit perhaps good ones). Oh, and the Faucher kid the Rays also got back has looked pretty good.
The whole notion that a zipper-pockets owner OK’d the deal probably elevated the clubhouse; it has an effect (see Seattle, Boston).
I make that deal every day of the week.
Yeah, because Mike Brosseau was the DH before we acquired Cruz. This is a much more complex situation than you allow, but I don’t want to confuse you. Enjoy yr straw man argument and lack of recognition of context.
Yup, great point Bob.
Rays had a .594 winning percentage prior to the trade, having gone just 15-15 in the 30 games leading up to it, and since the trade have a .679 winning percentage.
The only team that scares me in the AL to beat the White Sox is the Rays.
Not exactly going out on a limb by picking the team with the best record in the AL as the only threat to your White Sox.
But you’d be foolish to not worry about the Astros, and also the Yanks if they get Kluber and a couple other key guys back.
The Yankees have won 5/6 vs the white Sox. Tbh I don’t see the Sox getting out the ALDS they’ve get hammered va Houston wnd NYY, let’s see how the series with TB turns out.
Speaking of the sox getting hammered, we gave away game 1 by playing rookie-league defense, but won the last 2 decisively.
Tim Anderson is a beast
And won last two only ’cause that Sox “beast” was on the bench!!
Anderson not playing again tonight!
Leg soreness after scoring 4 runs last Friday. Ugh. Only 28 years old.
We took 2 out of 3 this weekend. I agree with you.
As a Padres Fan I want to personally thank the Rays Organization for supplying us with Jacob “Croney” Cronenworth. His home run against the Phil’s last night kept our Wild Card Spot secured.
https://www.mlb.com/news/jake-cronenworth-homers-in-9th-to-key-comeback
This one still stings, but I’m glad he’s doing well.
Good players in separate trades. Rays probably happy to have sold high on Snell and received Patino.
That’s the way to do it, sell high. Like Coach Bill always says, better to move a guy a year too soon than a year too late.
Red Sox were stupid to hold onto JBJ after he won ALCS MVP, that was the perfect time to trade him. Rays surely would have known that. That’s the difference between the two teams.
In 2012 he had a tummy ache and regretfully decided to take PEDs to help, so he says. Let’s hope he doesn’t make the same mistake his time.
Hopefully he will be ok. I know that Covid can affect seniors tremendously.
Well played sir. I legit laughed at that one