Twins optimistic after Cruz, Cave exit early

September 7th, 2019

MINNEAPOLIS -- and were both removed from the Twins' 6-2, 11-inning loss to the Indians on Friday night due to injury. Though neither ailment appeared too serious following the game, the Twins expect to know more about Cruz's and Cave's conditions on Saturday.

Cruz was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the 10th inning after he was seen grimacing during an at-bat earlier in the game due to soreness in his left wrist. He was examined by an athletic trainer during his fifth-inning plate appearance and struck out in the eighth before he was lifted for Jonathan Schoop.

"Nellie was still talking about staying in the game and playing," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "But after looking uncomfortable, we don't want to send him out there to hit if he's feeling that soreness or that discomfort, so I think we're going to give it until tomorrow."

The 39-year-old said after the game that the wrist was feeling better and it could simply be inflammation that might go away with ice and medication over the next day or two. Cruz said the issue was less significant than it had been earlier in the season, when he dealt with recurring pain before he ruptured a tendon in the wrist, seemingly resolving most of his problems in the area.

Cave felt tightness in his left groin after hitting a single to right field in the fifth inning, and he decided not to potentially exacerbate the issue by running all-out as he normally does. Cave was immediately removed from the game by head athletic trainer Tony Leo after Cave jogged to first base on the single.

Cave said after the game that he passed strength tests following his exit and would be further evaluated on Saturday.

"I was just a little nervous that if I busted it open right there, that things might have felt a little worse," Cave said. "Doctors say it don't seem like anything crazy. But like I said, I'll know some more definitive answers tomorrow."

He was replaced by pinch-runner Jr., who also assumed Cave's position in right field.

Cave entered Friday hitting .250/.340/.445 with seven homers in 61 games, including a .311/.376/.611 mark in the second half while earning more playing time. His leadoff single in the fifth inning led to a run against Cleveland, after Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco both followed with singles.

The Twins were already without the full services of Marwin Gonzalez (abdominal/oblique strain) and Byron Buxton (left shoulder subluxation). Gonzalez hasn't played since Aug. 27, while Buxton has been limited to pinch-running and fielding duty since being activated from the injured list on Sunday.

With the Twins also staying away from Ehire Adrianza due to illness, their fully healthy outfield options now include Luis Arraez, Willians Astudillo and September callup Ian Miller, who does not have a Major League plate appearance.