The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated first baseman Yandy Díaz from the restricted list on Friday after he missed seven games due to personal family matters.
Díaz, who had not played since the All-Star break, returned to his usual leadoff position as the Rays began a three-game weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds.
“I’d rather not talk about it. I’m here to focus on baseball,” Díaz said through a team translator.
The 32-year-old was hitting .273 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs. He was a first-time All-Star in 2023, leading the American League with a .330 batting average, 22 home runs, and 78 RBIs.
Díaz was on the restricted list on July 20 during a four-game road series against the New York Yankees. He also missed three games in Toronto.
Rays manager Kevin Cash has said the move was not due to any disciplinary issues and was related to personal family matters that did not fit the major league bereavement/family medical emergency list.
“I am happy to have him back,” Cash said before Friday night’s game. “It feels like the situation is better.”
