Nelson Cruz day-to-day with sore right Achilles tendon - MLB

Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz made an early exit from Saturday’s loss to the Giants after experiencing soreness in his right Achilles tendon. It’s not thought to be a serious issue, but the 31-year-old slugger is not in the starting lineup for Sunday’s series finale.

According to Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest, Cruz believes the discomfort was brought on by a new pair of cleats that he began wearing at the start of last week’s four-game set in Oakland. He switched back to his old spikes in time for Saturday’s game but the damage had apparently already been done.

David Murphy is playing right field, Josh Hamilton is playing left field and Craig Gentry will handle center on Sunday afternoon in San Francisco. Cruz is batting .258/.312/.428 with eight home runs, 15 doubles and 36 RBI in 59 games this season. He should return Tuesday night against the Diamondbacks.

LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.