Suspended Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz is gearing up to return to the organization's lineup in the postseason after his ban expires, but had some apologizing to get out of the way first.
Cruz worked out and took some batting practice with Rangers' hitting coach Dave Magadan in preparations for a return to the team's roster in October Friday. Reports indicate that Cruz will continue working out this weekend and then go to the club's practice facility in Surprise, Ariz. next week.
Cruz agreed to and accepted a 50-game suspension from Major League Baseball for using performance enhancing drugs in connection to the Biogenesis scandal, and the ban will be lifted by the time the postseason rolls around in October. Cruz apologized to the Rangers and his fans for his "mistake" Friday and is looking forward to being ready for the postseason, should the Rangers qualify.
A video of the apology can be seen below, courtesy of MLB.com:
"It's been a really rough few weeks," Cruz told ESPN in his first public statements in front of reporters since the suspension. "But I have good friends and good family. They're behind me."
Cruz, who didn't take any questions, is hoping to join the team in its quest to capture its first World Series title this October.
"Hopefully, the team goes to the playoffs and gives me a chance to help them out,'' said Cruz, according to Dallas News."I'll be ready."
Cruz was hitting .269 through 108 games before the ban with 27 homers and 76 RBIs. Rangers manager Ron Washington is hoping for Cruz to have similar production in the postseason, but doesn't expect the 33 year old to carry the team.
"If we end up getting into the playoffs, we're not looking at him to come in and carry us,'' Washington said. "We're not looking at him to come in and carry us, just be a part of the line-up. He'll hurt somebody."
The Rangers (78-56) hold a narrow two-game lead over the Oakland Athletics in the race for the American League Central division crown, but have one of two wildcard spots to fall back on if the team falters down the stretch. Texas is looking to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year and to get back to the World Series for the second time in three years after losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in 2011.
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