The Cleveland Guardians activated Josh Naylor ahead of Sunday’s series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Following a brief rehab stint at Double-A Akron, Naylor was activated off the 10-day IL after missing all of August with an oblique strain. Per an announcement from the Guardians, Naylor will bat third as the designated hitter for Sunday’s game.
Despite missing the last month, Naylor remains the team leader in RBIs (79) and is second in home runs (15) while sporting a .306 batting average, 25 doubles, and a .846 OPS.
Naylor is the third regular among the Cleveland roster to be activated within the last week, after pitcher Cal Quantrill and utility David Fry both returned to the team.
In a corresponding move, Oscar Gonzalez was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday. The 24-year-old outfielder was in his second major league stint this season, after being recalled from the minor leagues in late July. In 52 games this season, Gonzalez has batted .214 with a pair of home runs and 12 RBIs over 168 at-bats.
Sunday’s game is set for a 4:10 p.m. first pitch from Progressive Field.
Naylor returns Sunday after missing August with an oblique injury






