Spring Headlines: Nelson Cruz sidelined due to a knee injury
The Seattle Mariners will be without one of their best hitters for their first spring training game Wednesday. Slugger Nelson Cruz has been ruled out for the contest due to a sore left knee, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com.
Cruz has been held out of extra running drills and playing the outfield during camp due to the issue. Both he and manager Scott Servais believe the injury is minor, and that Cruz should be able to return to action in a few days.
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That would be a positive for Seattle. The 35-year-old outfielder turned in an exceptional season at the plate in 2015, hitting .302/.369/.566, with 44 home runs, in 655 plate appearances. His performance earned him an All-Star nod, Sliver Slugger award and a sixth place finish in the MVP voting.
Earlier in his career, Cruz wasn’t known as the most durable player. He missed time in 2010 and 2011 due to separate thigh injuries. Since 2012, however, he’s mostly been able to keep himself on the field. Cruz only played in 109 games in 2013, but that was due to a suspension, not an injury.
Now that Cruz is older, his health will become even more important. Cruz changed his training routine a few years ago, putting a great focus on his legs, and that seems to have helped. While this injury is minor, and unrelated to issues Cruz has had in the past, the Mariners are wise to take it easy with him for now.
OTHER SPRING HEADLINES
Sign him up: The Kansas City Royals handed catcher Salvador Perez an extension that will keep him in town through 2021. [Jeff Passan]
Suspended: Major League Baseball has suspended New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman for 30 games following his involvement in a domestic issue last October. [The Stew]
Yikes: Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco broke teammate Freddy Galvis’ windshield with a home run. [@JSalisburyCSN]
Ouch: Miami Marlins reliever Carter Capps underwent an MRI on his throwing elbow. [Miami Herald]
He’s out: San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence will miss about a week due to inflammation in his Achilles tendon. [@extrabaggs]
Traveling: The Tampa Bay Rays will play an exhibition game against the Cuban National Team in Cuba. [The Stew]
Ready to go: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yaisel Sierra has been cleared to start working out with the club. [@billplunkettocr]
He’s back: Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw had positive things to say about the new and improved Yasiel Puig. [The Stew]
Homer happy: In order to curb home runs, the Colorado Rockies plan on raising their outfield walls in 2016. [Denver Post]
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
