Rangers won't commit to adding Cruz for postseason
While Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels would not say for sure if suspended outfielder Nelson Cruz will play in the postseason, manager Ron Washington indicated on Friday that Cruz will be added to the roster -- provided the Rangers make the playoffs.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the team is taking steps to make sure Cruz is ready to contribute when his 50-game suspension ends at the conclusion of the regular season. The Rangers led the American League West by three games over Oakland at the start of play on Friday.
Cruz took batting practice on Friday and plans are for him to remain in Texas for part of next week before heading to work out at the Rangers' spring training facility in Arizona. Cruz also will work out with the Arizona Instructional League team.
"We'll see," Daniels said. "Our thought process is just to keep him as ready as we can. If we're in the postseason, we'll make an evaluation. We're not going to get ahead of ourselves. We're keeping our options open."
There were other reports that indicated that Washington said Cruz would be activated.
Also on Friday, Cruz apologized for being suspended, but did not take any questions.
"I want to apologize to the fans, the Texas Rangers organization and all of Major League Baseball for the mistake I made," Cruz said as reported by MLB.com. "I apologize to my family. There have been a lot of people and fans behind me. It has been a really tough few weeks, but I have good friends and a good family. They give me the support I need.
"Hopefully, the team will go to the playoffs and ... give me a chance to help out."
Cruz was hitting .269 with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs when he was suspended. The Rangers traded for Chicago White Sox right fielder Alex Rios four days after Cruz was suspended.
