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MLB is back with a full slate of games on Friday, July 23, and it follows the first big move in advance of next week’s trade deadline. The Tampa Bay Rays traded two pitching prospects to the Minnesota Twins for slugger Nelson Cruz and a minor league pitcher. Cruz was batting .294/.370/.537 with 19 home runs in 296 at-bats with the Twins and provides a big boost to the Rays playoff push.
There will be plenty more moves, but this could prove to be the biggest offensive piece to move. It seems likely Cruz is in the Rays lineup on Friday, but we’ll see in advance of their 7:10 p.m. start Friday night.
MLB lineup and injury news — Friday, July 23rd
Nelson Cruz batting third in Rays debut
Mookie Betts remains out of Dodgers lineup
Shohei Ohtani out of the Angels lineup, getting a day off
Alec Bohm activated off COVID-19 IL
The Phillies activated their third baseman and he should slot back into the lineup. Prior to going on the IL, he was hitting .243 with six home runs and 41 RBIs.
Cubs activate Matt Duffy off 60-day IL
Duffy went on the IL in May with a back strain after missing all of last season after the Rays released him. He’ll come off the bench to start, and was last effective in 2018 when he slashed .294/.361/.366 over 503 ABs.
Jon Berti diagnosed with concussion
The Marlins utility players was struck on the head by a wild pitch on Thursday. He was able to leave the game under his own power, but was diagnosed with a concussion and required three stitches. He’s hitting .210 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and eight stolen bases on the season.