UPDATE, 6:08: Diaz was scratched from the Rays lineup shortly before first pitch, as he still felt soreness in the shoulder during pregame work.
Cash relayed through the team PR staff that Diaz would be available off the bench.
Ji-Man Choi went into the lineup at first base and Isaac Paredes shifted from first to third. Manuel Margot moved into the leadoff spot.
CLEVELAND — The Rays will have two familiar faces on the field when they take on the Guardians tonight. Yandy Diaz will be at third base for the first time in more than a week, Tyler Glasnow on the mound for the first time in more than a year.
Diaz had been sidelined since Sept. 19 due to ongoing left shoulder soreness. He said before Tuesday’s game he felt much better, then showed it by pinch-hitting in the 10th inning.
Glasnow is returning from Aug. 4 Tommy John elbow surgery, as well as the installation of a ligament brace. He has made four rehab appearances and is expected to be limited to two-three innings and about 45 pitches tonight.
The Rays enter play with a magic number of three to clinch a playoff spot — any combination of Tampa Bay wins and Baltimore losses. The Rays are second in the three-team field, behind the Blue Jays and ahead of the Mariners.
Here is the Rays’ lineup:
And for the Guardians:
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