As expected, outfielder Nelson Cruz and reliever Darren O'Day have been activated from the disabled list today.
Had one of the Rangers' minor league affiliates advanced farther into the playoffs, one or both of the players likely would have gone on a rehabilitation assignment. Instead, both have been activated, and will attempt to get their timing back through extra work or simulated games.
Although Cruz has been activated, he is not in the lineup tonight, and with David Murphy playing well in Cruz's absence, the Rangers have the luxury of easing him back into the lineup gradually.
O'Day has had a rough year while with the major league club, struggling with injuries and inconsistency with his release point. However, O'Day has a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 innings in the minors this year, with 27 strikeouts, 4 walks and 3 home runs allowed.
O'Day has been especially effective against righthanded hitters in his time with AAA Round Rock, with a 22:0 K:BB ratio and just 9 hits (1 HR) allowed to righties in 13.2 innings.
With Yoshinori Tateyama struggling, a healthy and effective O'Day could find himself in the mix for the 7th and final bullpen spot come playoff time.