Arlington, TX – The Texas Rangers will have their power bat back in the lineup, activating slugger Nelson Cruz from the restricted list in time for Monday's do-or-die contest with the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Rangers and Rays both finished 91-71 after 162 games, and will play a tiebreaker to determine the second Wild Card winner and the rights to face the Cleveland Indians in a one-game playoff.
Texas designated outfielder Joey Butler to make room on the 40-man roster for Cruz, who has completed his 50-game suspension for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
Despite being out since August 5, Cruz still placed second on the team in home runs and RBI behind third baseman Adrian Beltre. In 108 games, Cruz smacked 27 homers and drove in 76 runs with a .269 average.
Cruz is in the starting lineup as the designated hitter and will bat sixth. The slugger has good numbers against Rays starter David Price, going 9-for-21 with three homers and five RBI in 23 career plate appearances.
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