Rays’ Nelson Cruz looking ahead to ‘emotional’ return to Minnesota - Tampa Bay Times

BOSTON — Nelson Cruz is excited to be returning to Minnesota this weekend with the Rays.

The veteran designated hitter said he made many friends among Twins players and staff during his 2½ seasons there before being traded to the Rays on July 22 and shared special memories in making the playoffs in 2019 and ‘20.

“We won the division back-to-back years, so that definitely makes it special. Good fan base. The whole organization is just very first-class. Coaching staff. Very close with the players. Definitely a good 2-1/2 years,” Cruz said in the Rays dugout before Thursday’s game. “I have a great relationship with those guys, so it’s going to be nice to see them.”

Plus, Cruz left some personal items at his rental home in Minnesota, as he had to leave the next day to join the Rays in Cleveland. “We already gave away the house, but they let us keep some stuff there,” he said. “So we’re going to pick it up and take it with us to Tampa.”

The chance to return just three weeks after being dealt makes the trip even more special. The Twins plan to acknowledge Cruz’s return before Friday’s game.

“Sometimes when you leave, you come back (the) next year,” Cruz said. “So that’s my guess, it’s going to be emotional probably.”

Pitching shuffle

Dietrich Enns’ reward for saving the bullpen Tuesday by working 3-2/3 innings after Josh Fleming’s rough start in the eventual 20-8 loss was being optioned to Triple-A so the Rays could add a fresh arm. That was Evan Phillips, 26, who was signed last week after being released from Baltimore’s Triple-A team. The Rays added Phillips, 1-3, 7.50 in 48 games over parts of three big-league seasons with the Braves and Orioles, as they had an open spot on the 40-man roster due to Ryan Yarbrough going on the COVID-19-related injured list, so his stay may be short.

Medical matters: Kiermaier, Choi, Anderson, Archer

Centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier went 3-for-3 in returning to the lineup for the first time since leaving Saturday’s game with right knee soreness, though he played an inning on defense Tuesday. … First baseman Ji-Man Choi was out of the lineup for what manager Kevin Cash said was “kind of maintenance” due to soreness in his left hamstring: “We don’t want to see him go down for an extended period of time.” … Reliever Nick Anderson resumed his rehab from a spring elbow sprain by throwing a 1-2-3, five-pitch inning for Triple-A Durham on Thursday; he was delayed joining the Bulls about two weeks for “COVID-related reasons.” … Chris Archer’s planned start with the Florida Complex League team was postponed due to weather, but he threw three innings in a simulated game and if he feels okay Friday he can move next to Durham. His rehab from an April forearm issue was paused when he left his fifth outing Aug. 1 with hip soreness. … Relievers J.P. Feyereisen and Ryan Thompson, out with shoulder issues, will throw an inning each Friday in an intrasquad game at the Port Charlotte complex. Pete Fairbanks is set to progress from playing catch to throwing off a mound Saturday. … Cash again said there was “no update” on Yarbrough.

Miscellany

• The Rays scored eight (or more) runs in a franchise-record sixth straight game, the longest such steak in the majors since the 2017 Cardinals (also six) and most in the American League since the 2008 Rangers.

• This is the first time in 24 seasons the Rays have won 70 of their first 115 games.

• Brett Phillips one-upped Yankees Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig Wednesday by hitting his third grand slam in a span of 19 plate appearances. Gehrig did so in 20 in 1931. The only player in history with three in fewer, per STATS LLC, was Jim Northrup in 14 for the 1968 Tigers.

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