Nelson Cruz left the first game of three with the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field in the 7th, and the 41-year-old, 18-year veteran missed the next two games with lower back stiffness.
Cruz returned to the lineup for the series opener in Anaheim last night, looking to get going this season after signing a 1-year/$15M deal to become Washington’s DH, but struggling out of the gate with the Nationals, going 13 for 91 (.143/.233/.209) with two homers, 11 walks, 18 Ks, and 12 RBIs in his first 24 games of the season.
Manager Davey Martinez was happy to get the slugger back in the lineup as he said when he spoke to reporters before the series opener with the Los Angeles Angels.