After illness, Cuddyer back at full strength

BALTIMORE -- Rockies All-Star right fielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer reported on Friday that he has finally regained his strength. Cuddyer missed games on Monday and Tuesday because of a flu-like illness that has affected him, his wife and three children.

Cuddyer, who entered Friday hitting .324 with 17 home runs and 66 RBIs in 96 games, lost five pounds while ill. He played on Wednesday and Thursday, going a combined 0-for-4.

He was in the lineup in Friday's 6-3 win in Baltimore, batting fourth and playing right field. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and run scored.

"My strength definitely wasn't there two days ago, so I feel like a new person," Cuddyer said. "Since our last game, I've been able to eat six full meals. Going into that day game on Wednesday, I only had a meal and a half since Saturday."

Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Cuddyer "looks himself again."