As the Padres continue their quest to climb up the NL West standings in the dog days of summer, they have another reinforcement set to return to the team.
Veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz has been activated off the 10-day injured list on Tuesday while first baseman Alfonso Rivas was sent down to Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move.
The return of Cruz, 42, from a hamstring injury is welcome news for the Friars as they try to climb back in the division race.
Cruz is slashing .238/.270/.381 with three home runs and 16 RBI over 36 games with the Padres this season.
The 18-year veteran is available to come off the bench tonight, and has the track record to provide a power bat for the Friars when needed.
The combination of Gary Sanchez's sudden resurgence as a Padre, the returns of Fernando Tatis, Jr. and Manny Machado, along with Cruz's return is certainly a sign that the Padres are getting very much healthy at a much needed point in the season.
As of Tuesday evening, San Diego is 9 1/2 out of first in the NL West but are a much more manageable 2 1/2 out of wild card position.
San Diego is entering a crucial point of their season.
A point that could not only determine whether they'll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline, but one that may also provide an answer as to the team's roster approach over the next couple of seasons.
If the Padres can have a consistent stretch over the next couple weeks it'll go a long way toward locking in their future as buyers at the deadline as they may be in the position to compete for a playoff spot.
And now they'll have more of a complete roster as they try to make that happen.
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