ANAHEIM -- Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz was scratched from Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium about 90 minutes before first pitch due to illness, with Daniel Vogelbach replacing him for the series finale.
The Mariners have been dealing with a series of illnesses of late. James Paxton has been sidelined the past week with a mild case of pneumonia, while Jean Segura missed three games with a virus and Cameron Maybin was sidelined several games by a similar bug.
"That virus thing has kind of gotten through our clubhouse," manager Scott Servais said. "It's hard when he's not in the middle of our lineup."
Cruz's absence is significant for the Mariners as he's hit a team-leading 36 home runs and 89 RBIs while batting .265/.351/.534 in 131 games.
With two weeks remaining in the season, the 38-year-old is on pace for 39 homers and 97 RBIs. He's averaged 40.4 home runs and 102.8 RBIs a year since 2014, the only player in the Majors to average over 40 homers and 100 RBIs in that five-year span.
Cruz will be a free agent at the end of the season as his four-year, $57 million deal expires.
Vogelbach hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning for his third home run of the year -- and his career -- and the first since April 14.