Rays 1B Yandy Díaz reinstated from restricted list after missing seven games for personal reasons

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated first baseman Yandy Díaz from the restricted list on Friday after the defending AL batting champion missed seven games because of personal family reasons.

Díaz, who had not played since the All-Star break, was back in his customary leadoff spot when the Rays opened 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 batting .273 with eight homers and 46 RBIs. He was a first time All-Star in 2023, when he hit an AL-best .330 with 22 homers and 78 RBIs.

Díaz was placed on the restricted list on July 20 during a four-game road series against the New York Yankees. He also missed three games at Toronto.

Rays manager Kevin Cash has said the move was not disciplinary and was made because of family personal reasons that did not qualify under 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.”