TODAY: The MRI came back negative, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press was among those to report on Twitter. Cruz is hoping to avoid an IL trip altogether.
YESTERDAY: Twins slugger Nelson Cruz left Sunday’s game due to soreness in his left wrist, and he will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the nature of the problem. (MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park was among those to report the news.)
Cruz’s injury didn’t seem to stem from any specific incident, as the veteran indicated to reporters after the game that he had been dealing with nagging wrist soreness, and the issue became worse after taking a swinging strike. As Park notes, Cruz’s wrist seemed to be visibly bothering him after swinging at a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cruz took one further plate appearance in the game but was removed for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Even as he approaches his 39th birthday on July 1, Cruz is still producing at a high level, with a .270/.354/.508 slash line and seven homers over his first 144 plate appearances as a Twin. Cruz’s still-potent bat has been a big reason behind Minnesota’s surprising surge to the best record in baseball, and obviously any type of IL stint for the veteran designated hitter would be a blow to the Twins’ lineup.
If Cruz’s status wasn’t enough of a concern for the Twins, Martin Perez was also an early scratch from Sunday’s game, as the starter was removed after being hit in the left ankle by a Nicholas Castellanos line drive in the sixth inning. This injury (diagnosed as a left foot contusion) doesn’t appear to be as serious, however, as Perez told Park and other reporters that he doesn’t think he’ll miss his next start.
Sano better step up. The Twins are pretty contagious this year so let’s hope Sano doesn’t have an immunity. They may need that bat now more than ever.
Sano does not need to be the star the Twins needed the last few years. Bat him 6th or 7th and watch him launch homers with that protection he has in the lineup. He will finish will 25 homers and 70RBI
Here it goes
Ranger fans are sick to their stomachs
Mariner fans miss him.
I’m speaking on Martin Perez
Mariners don’t miss him.
Yes they do, they miss that entire 2018 squad that went 89-73, not this squad who starts 13-2 then proceeds to go 7-21.
No, the Mariners are happy to go 7-21.
Lol rangers fans are sick to their stomachaches. Lol bc Cruz said he took 3 steps in to celebrate with his teammates boom then David Freeeeeeze happened.
On a serious note do they have a smaller machine than the big ones they make your full body get into? I have spent enough time in those things. Uncomfortable and noisy just think they would have something better than those big clunky things. What they do is pretty cool though.
Me thinks Kendry Morales has a landing spot in MN if Cruz has to hit the IL.
I hope not. Been there, done that. Ricky Nolasco is prolly available too…
No, even if Cruz was going to miss time. What would Morales offer the Twins that they dont already have?
A Angel killer if their ever was one.
Pretty sure he knows how to find something to help him heal faster.
So glad that ball went over his head.