ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Even before Jay Bruce played his first game for Cleveland, manager Terry Francona said the slugger boosted the banged-up Indians.
"It gives you a little bounce in your step," Francona said Thursday before the Indians opened a four-game series against Tampa Bay. "There's no guarantees. There's not supposed to be, but he is a really good run producer, and to add him to your lineup is really going to help."
Bruce wasn't at Tropicana Field in time to start vs. the Rays. The AL Central leaders acquired the 30-year-old Bruce from the New York Mets on Wednesday night for minor league pitcher Ryder Ryan.