The Twins recently placed designated hitter Nelson Cruz on the injured list Friday with a ruptured tendon in his left hand, but he won’t need surgery, Betsy Helfand of the Pioneer Press reports. Cruz will resume baseball activities Tuesday.
At last look, the Minnesota organization was expressing optimism of just this outcome. But it took a visit to a specialist to confirm that there was no further damage that might require surgical intervention.
This is relieving news for the Twins, who’ve seen what once looked like an insurmountable lead in the American League Central shrink to nothing. Minnesota held an 11-game advantage over Cleveland as recently as June 15, but the teams are now tied after the Indians took three of four in the clubs’ weekend series. The Twins had to go without Cruz for the majority of that set, as he departed the opening game Thursday with his injury.
The 39-year-old Cruz has been on the IL twice this season because of left hand problems, but they haven’t had a deleterious effect on his production. The long-excellent slugger is amid one of his most impressive seasons yet, having slashed .294/.384/.650 with 32 home runs and a career-best 164 wRC+ through 373 plate appearances. Thanks in no small part to Cruz, the Twins have looked like playoff shoo-ins for months. Now, though, they’re only four games up on a wild-card spot, making it all the more imperative for Cruz to heal quickly.
Man this sucks… I think we’ll win the division tho based on strength of schedule
I believe differently, and also believe they might miss the playoffs entirely….unfortunately. They were fun to watch in the first half tho.
They have one of the easiest schedules remaining. They aren’t missing the playoffs
I agree. I’ve seen Minnesota sports teams choke before, I’ll believe that we’ll make the playoffs when we are actually in it.
They should be able to do it. They just need to score runs faster than the pitching staff can hemorrhage them.
Doubtful. Minnesota’s pitching sucks
Actually, the Twins rank #5 in ERA in the AL. It just SEEMS that their pitching sucks. Actually, it’s a touch average.
Typical Minnesota sports…the other shoe has dropped.
Nelly Cruz. OBP of over .380 is incredible for a DH.
Indians and twins will pad their records vs tigers, royals, and white sox wholich is advantage for both
Give it up already. This line is boring. Was a long time ago.
Why is it boring? Because it’s true? Explain or don’t say anything.
It’s boring because it’s always focused on the Tribe, yet every division leader has patsies in their own division to beat up on and pad their records.
And people like you that think they’re the boss of the thread need to just ‘not say anything.’
He’s not the boss of the thread, but he’s the boss of the thread’s enforcer.
Boring or not, it is true. Three patsies in one division? Come on. At least admit this division is weak—honestly, no reasons for Tribe not to run away with it.
It is now. But it runs in cycles. Remember when Detroit was beating the snot out of everyone? KC during their 2-year run of glory?
It’s now Cleveland and Minnesota’s turns for payback.
Now how about that Tribe walk-off against the defending world champs last night? Wahoo!
That is true….but hoping as a Twins fans that their extra 10 games (26 to 16) vs. KC, DET and WSox….turn out to be the key to them winning the division.
so Have the Twins signed Holland yet? why Not? they got nothing to lose…
Yes, they have something to lose: a division and a wild card.
Their bullpen if very weak, Rocky only seems to have 1 guy Rogers.. the rest he doesn’t trust. They need bullpen help. They have nothing to lose giving Holland a tryout..
Oh yes…they do…….Holland is on the same level as Fernando Rodney…no thanks!
Holland is an experienced closer who when into a slump. There is no telling if Johnson could fix him with a session or 2, if he could, then the twins pen would be greatly improved.. meantime we have Nervous nellie May giving up a run an outing, various rookies, and Rogers.. maybe Romo in the 7th.. The Twins pen needs improvement if they want to go deep into the post season.. and the lies about it being done are just that lies. Todays game is maybe 6 inning starts and the pen. No pen No run for a ring..
Nope, the Nats signed him.
Twins fans really banking on the schedule.
some, not all
Indians fans really banking on the schedule.
Surgical intervention??? Hahahaha… nobody speaks like that
Not as much so as deleterious. Reading that made me tumescent.
TONY BOSCH WHERE YOU AT?
The power of the needle.
“The needle and the damage done.”
Hope the “BoomStick” isn’t out long, he was raking.
Cruz is an extra coach in the dugout. They’ll be fine. Good to have some guys who have been into combat before. Not worried about recent Indians series, MN was playing shorthanded. We need Bux back in CF so Marwin can leave OF and return to being super-utility. Secret weapon is the potential Sept callups. Cleveland can’t match the minor league talent MN should be bringing up for the stretch. I think that could be more of a factor than strength of schedule.
Ruptured tendon doesn’t sound good
Twins cannot lose Nelson Cruz and survive
see ya…
His other tendons are fine. Cortisone shot, few days rest, a nap before the game…he will be back in a week. He is old school – tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. He smells postseason and he will be in it.
Tony Oliva used to swing a bat without being able to grip with one or two fingers on his right hand. Bats went flying into the stands, and he still hit around .310 that way. Mr Cruz is aware of this.