The Texas Rangers and shortstop Elvis Andrus agreed to a three-year contract worth $14.4 million yesterday.
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz may be next.
Per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers and Cruz are close to a two-year deal, which would eliminate the need for their arbitration hearing next week (and next year).
In each of the past three seasons, Cruz has played in 128 regular-season games or less. During that span, Cruz has 84 home runs, 241 runs batted in and 46 stolen bases in 360 games.
If, a big if, Cruz could stay healthy for 150 games this season and maintain his per-game average from the past three seasons, he would hit 35 home runs, 100 runs batted in and 19 stolen bases.
Cruz is the 10th-ranked fantasy outfielder in our 2012 preseason rankings.
Showing posts with label Nelson Cruz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nelson Cruz. Show all posts
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Nelson Cruz heads to the 15-day disabled list
Two-thirds of the Texas Rangers' starting outfield is now on the disabled list.
Joining teammate Josh Hamilton, who broke his arm sliding into home earlier in the season, Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained quad.
Since Cruz last played on Tuesday, the move is retroactive to Wednesday. Naturally, Cruz was disappointed by the move.
"It's not good, not fun. I want to play,'' Cruz said (via Sports Illustrated). "The safe thing is to rest.''
Cruz, who landed on the DL three times and played only 108 games in 2010, is htting .219 with seven home runs, 18 runs batted in and one stolen base on the season.
Texas has recalled Craig Gentry from Triple-A to take Cruz's roster spot.
Joining teammate Josh Hamilton, who broke his arm sliding into home earlier in the season, Nelson Cruz was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained quad.
Since Cruz last played on Tuesday, the move is retroactive to Wednesday. Naturally, Cruz was disappointed by the move.
"It's not good, not fun. I want to play,'' Cruz said (via Sports Illustrated). "The safe thing is to rest.''
Cruz, who landed on the DL three times and played only 108 games in 2010, is htting .219 with seven home runs, 18 runs batted in and one stolen base on the season.
Texas has recalled Craig Gentry from Triple-A to take Cruz's roster spot.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Nelson Cruz out of Thursday's lineup, too
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz left Tuesday's game against the Mariners with tightness in his quad.
"I feel good right now," Cruz said Tuesday, per ESPN's Richard Durrett. "We'll wait until tomorrow and see. Hopefully, it should be just one day."
It's not "just one day" as Cruz is out of Thursday's lineup as well.
Cruz, who hit a home run in each of the team's first four games of the year, has struggled since April 10th.
In the first eight games, Cruz hit .360 with five home runs and ten runs batted in. Since then, Cruz is hitting only .175 (14 for 80) with two home runs and eight runs batted in.
Considering he had hoped he would have returned for tonight's game, it doesn't appear that Cruz will be out any or much longer.
"I feel good right now," Cruz said Tuesday, per ESPN's Richard Durrett. "We'll wait until tomorrow and see. Hopefully, it should be just one day."
It's not "just one day" as Cruz is out of Thursday's lineup as well.
Cruz, who hit a home run in each of the team's first four games of the year, has struggled since April 10th.
In the first eight games, Cruz hit .360 with five home runs and ten runs batted in. Since then, Cruz is hitting only .175 (14 for 80) with two home runs and eight runs batted in.
Considering he had hoped he would have returned for tonight's game, it doesn't appear that Cruz will be out any or much longer.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Nelson Cruz hits home run in fourth straight game
Heading into tonight's game against the Mariners, Ranger teammates Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz each had a three-game homer streak to start the season.
Although Kinsler did not hit a home run tonight, Cruz did.
That means that Cruz joins Willie Mays and Mark McGwire as the only players in baseball history to begin a season with a home run in each of the first four games.
Last year, Cruz started hot as well as he hit a home run in four of his first five games to start the season.
Of course, the end of the season is more important than the start of the season for Cruz, who has missed a combined 88 games in the past two seasons.
Over the past two seasons, however, Cruz still managed to belt 55 home runs and steal 37 bases, which would be a 162-game pace of 37-25 as I noted in my fantasy outfielder rankings.
Although Kinsler did not hit a home run tonight, Cruz did.
That means that Cruz joins Willie Mays and Mark McGwire as the only players in baseball history to begin a season with a home run in each of the first four games.
Last year, Cruz started hot as well as he hit a home run in four of his first five games to start the season.
Of course, the end of the season is more important than the start of the season for Cruz, who has missed a combined 88 games in the past two seasons.
Over the past two seasons, however, Cruz still managed to belt 55 home runs and steal 37 bases, which would be a 162-game pace of 37-25 as I noted in my fantasy outfielder rankings.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Rangers place Nelson Cruz on DL
The Texas Rangers have placed slugger Nelson Cruz on the 15-day disabled list, per T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
Cruz left Monday's game in the fifth inning due to a tight hamstring, but he missed either part or all of three games last week.
Proving last year wasn't a fluke, Cruz was off to a hot start in 2010: .323 average, seven home runs, 17 runs batted in and five stolen bases in 19 games.
He was (more than) on pace to back up his 30-30 guarantee.
Last season, he slowed down on the basepaths after suffering an ankle injury and he finished with only 20 steals. With the lingering effects of hamstring injuries, I'm curious to see how much he'll run once he returns.
To take the place of Cruz on the roster, the Rangers have called up Craig Gentry from Triple-A. Last September, Gentry was 2-for-17 with the Rangers.
Cruz left Monday's game in the fifth inning due to a tight hamstring, but he missed either part or all of three games last week.
Proving last year wasn't a fluke, Cruz was off to a hot start in 2010: .323 average, seven home runs, 17 runs batted in and five stolen bases in 19 games.
He was (more than) on pace to back up his 30-30 guarantee.
Last season, he slowed down on the basepaths after suffering an ankle injury and he finished with only 20 steals. With the lingering effects of hamstring injuries, I'm curious to see how much he'll run once he returns.
To take the place of Cruz on the roster, the Rangers have called up Craig Gentry from Triple-A. Last September, Gentry was 2-for-17 with the Rangers.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday Night Links
Phillies closer Brad Lidge says not to worry about allowing four runs in his first Single-A rehab appearance of 2/3 of an inning.
Texas outfielder Julio Borbon was benched after starting the season 1-for-21. Returning to the lineup, Borbon went 0-for-4.
Meanwhile teammate Joaquin Arias has four straight multi-hit games filling in for injured second baseman Ian Kinsler.
The Giants won't pitch Matt Cain against the Dodgers over the weekend.
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is being more selective at the plate.
“I just can’t pay any attention to any of this crap going on around me,” Red Sox DH David Ortiz said, per the Boston Herald. “Just play the game. The game is hard enough for people to be talking trash about you and you paying attention to it. You can’t listen to it.”
A's reliever Tyson Ross got his first-ever save last night.
It might be a while before Orioles 'closer' Mike Gonzalez gets another save opportunity.
The Twins beat the Red Sox 5-2 in the first-ever game at Target Field.
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester said of today's performance: “Today I just stunk. Didn’t make pitches. I don’t really know what else to say.’’
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz hit his fifth home run of the season.
The Royals had 15 hits against the Tigers today.
Scott Rolen homered twice as the Reds beat the Marlins today.
The Padres scored 17 runs against the Braves today.
Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley have added a slider and changeup, respectively, to their pitching repertoires, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Texas will start Ryan Garko at first base on Thursday.
The Pirates scratched pitcher Ross Ohlendorf for tonight's start against the Giants.
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts might need more time after he's eligible to return from the DL.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore misssed his second straight game.
FYI: Follow us on Twitter @EDSBaseball.
Texas outfielder Julio Borbon was benched after starting the season 1-for-21. Returning to the lineup, Borbon went 0-for-4.
Meanwhile teammate Joaquin Arias has four straight multi-hit games filling in for injured second baseman Ian Kinsler.
The Giants won't pitch Matt Cain against the Dodgers over the weekend.
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is being more selective at the plate.
“I just can’t pay any attention to any of this crap going on around me,” Red Sox DH David Ortiz said, per the Boston Herald. “Just play the game. The game is hard enough for people to be talking trash about you and you paying attention to it. You can’t listen to it.”
A's reliever Tyson Ross got his first-ever save last night.
It might be a while before Orioles 'closer' Mike Gonzalez gets another save opportunity.
The Twins beat the Red Sox 5-2 in the first-ever game at Target Field.
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester said of today's performance: “Today I just stunk. Didn’t make pitches. I don’t really know what else to say.’’
Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz hit his fifth home run of the season.
The Royals had 15 hits against the Tigers today.
Scott Rolen homered twice as the Reds beat the Marlins today.
The Padres scored 17 runs against the Braves today.
Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley have added a slider and changeup, respectively, to their pitching repertoires, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.
Texas will start Ryan Garko at first base on Thursday.
The Pirates scratched pitcher Ross Ohlendorf for tonight's start against the Giants.
Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts might need more time after he's eligible to return from the DL.
Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore misssed his second straight game.
FYI: Follow us on Twitter @EDSBaseball.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Nelson Cruz now a national pitch man
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz is one of eight players featured in the national ads for 2KSports Major League Baseball 2K10, per Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"It definitely was exciting to be part of the commercial," said Cruz. "I got a chance to meet with those guys like Kendry [Morales], [Justin] Verlander and [Felix] Hernandez. I was really happy to have the chance and the opportunity to be there."
Cruz, who will bat fifth in the Rangers' Opening Day lineup, hit 33 home runs and stole 20 bases in 2009.
How to top his breakout season in 2010?
Cruz guaranteed a 30-30 season and considering his sprained ankle last August nearly halted his stolen base attempts, it at least seems possible provided he can stay healthy.
"I see a very confident Nelson Cruz,” [manager Ron] Washington said. "I see a guy that’s been going about his business like a veteran."
According to MockDraftCentral.com, Cruz is the 16th outfielder drafted with an average draft position of 62. Seems like a steal to me.
"It definitely was exciting to be part of the commercial," said Cruz. "I got a chance to meet with those guys like Kendry [Morales], [Justin] Verlander and [Felix] Hernandez. I was really happy to have the chance and the opportunity to be there."
Cruz, who will bat fifth in the Rangers' Opening Day lineup, hit 33 home runs and stole 20 bases in 2009.
How to top his breakout season in 2010?
Cruz guaranteed a 30-30 season and considering his sprained ankle last August nearly halted his stolen base attempts, it at least seems possible provided he can stay healthy.
"I see a very confident Nelson Cruz,” [manager Ron] Washington said. "I see a guy that’s been going about his business like a veteran."
According to MockDraftCentral.com, Cruz is the 16th outfielder drafted with an average draft position of 62. Seems like a steal to me.
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