Rays place slugger Nelson Cruz on COVID-19 injured list
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - The Tampa Bay Rays have placed designated hitter Nelson Cruz on the COVID-19 injured list.
The move was announced Sunday about one hour before the Rays hosted the Chicago White Sox in a matchup of AL division leaders. It was not clear if Cruz tested positive for the coronavirus or was deemed a close contact of someone who did.
The 41-year-old slugger, acquired from Minnesota last month, is hitting .198 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 24 games with Tampa Bay. He has a .270 batting average, with 26 homers and 68 RBIs this season.
Cruz is 42nd on the career home run list with 443.
The Rays recalled right-handed pitcher Chris Mazza from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move.
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Tampa Bay Rays' Nelson Cruz celebrates with Ji-Man Choi (26) after the Rays defeated the Baltimore Orioles during a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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