Nelson Cruz activated, Casey Lawrence to Tacoma

Two days after calling manager Scott Servais and sternly telling him that he is ready for All Systems Boom, Nelson Cruz returns to the lineup tonight.

In a corresponding move, Casey Lawrence has been optioned back to Tacoma. In two outings so far this season, both multi-inning outings in losing team efforts, Lawrence has looked good once (against Cleveland) and poor once (against Kansas City). He’s continuing to refine his offerings using some of the advanced analytics the Mariners have made available to players, and he’ll head to Tacoma to work with pitching coach Lance Painter on continuing to take steps forward to build off his strong spring (1.80 ERA in 15 IP).

There are some people in the world who, if you are fortunate enough to know them, are like sunshine made corporeal: they are happy, and in turn, make everyone around them happy.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Nelson Cruz returning to the Mariners means much more than just getting his bat back into the lineup, although of course that will provide an offensive lift. But getting Nelson Cruz back into the dugout to cheer and dispense hugs and provide consistent, joyful leadership to a team that’s trying to punch its way up in a topheavy AL West?

Welcome back, Nelson. We missed you.