Rangers activate OF Cruz
The Texas Rangers activated outfielder Nelson Cruz from the restricted list and he is batting sixth in Monday night's American League wild-card tiebreaker against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The winner advances to the AL wild-card game against the Cleveland Indians.
In a corresponding move, the Rangers designated outfielder Joey Butler for assignment.
Cruz served a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball for violating the league's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The ban stemmed from the league's investigation of South Florida anti-aging clinic Biogenesis. Several other players were suspended as a result of the scandal.
Cruz played in instructional leagues in working his way back, mainly facing Class AA and AAA pitchers. He went 9-for-27 with five doubles, a home run and nine RBIs.
Before the suspension, Cruz batted .269 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs.
