Major League Baseball

Cruz, O'Day activated from DL by Rangers

Published Sep. 14, 2011 12:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

The AL West-leading Texas Rangers activated slugger Nelson Cruz and submarine reliever Darren O'Day from the disabled list on Tuesday.

Cruz and O'Day were back in time for the start of the Rangers' series against Cleveland, though Cruz wasn't in the starting lineup for the opener after his second DL stint this season because of a leg issue.

Manager Ron Washington said Cruz was available to hit, but he probably would serve as the designated hitter before getting back in the outfield.

Cruz went on the DL on Aug. 30 with a left hamstring strain. He also missed 17 games in May because of a strained right quadriceps muscle.

''We'll take it a day at a time until I get him in there,'' Washington said. ''If he gets a hit, we'll run for him.''

Cruz, who was batting .270 with 28 home runs and 84 RBIs in 113 games, said he wanted to play and arrived at the ballpark with that mindset. But he said he'll take whatever action he can get right now with two weeks left in the regular season.

''I've got to stay calm when I'm out there,'' he said.

The right fielder missed 51 games last season because of three DL stints for issues with both hamstrings.

O'Day had been out since Aug. 25 with inflammation in his right shoulder. In the right-hander's previous two stints with the team, he was 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA in 13 appearances.

Washington said O'Day was ''good to pitch. No physical restrictions.''