Rays activate Nelson Cruz from COVID-19 list, place Ji-Man Choi on 10-day IL

Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Tampa Bay Rays activated slugger Nelson Cruz from the COVID-19 injured list and put first baseman Ji-Man Choi on the 10-day IL before Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cruz was placed on the COVID-19 list Sunday due to feeling unwell before his team played the Chicago White Sox. Rays manager Kevin Cash said after his club's 9-0 win over the White Sox that the team decided to keep him away and test him for the coronavirus.

In his return Tuesday, Cruz was in the lineup at first base for the Rays as the team opened a two-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. It is the first time he has played the position in his MLB career.

"I'll figure it out," Cruz told reporters before Tuesday's game. "I'll be nervous, butterflies the first inning. And after that, I'm just going to enjoy myself. I'm going to have fun doing what I love, playing the game."

Choi, meanwhile, was put on the injured list with a left hamstring strain Tuesday. He exited after the first inning of Sunday's game when he doubled and scored on Austin Meadows' single.

The 41-year-old Cruz has a .198 batting average with seven home runs and 18 RBIs over 24 games with the Rays. The designated hitter has a .270 batting average with 26 homers and 68 RBIs for the 2021 season.

Choi, 30, has a .250 batting average with nine home runs and 38 RBIs this season.