Nelson Cruz - Fantasy News & Updates
Nelson Cruz - Fantasy News & Updates
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The outfielder hasn't played since Sept. 30, ending what has been one of the most notable breakout seasons of any player in the Majors. Cruz's 33 home runs and 20 steals make him one of only seven players -- and just three outfielders -- to record at least 30 homers and 20 stolen bases. He also finishes the year with a .260 batting average, 76 RBIs and 75 runs. The homer/steal combo makes him a top outfield choice in 2010 drafts.
Cruz sprained the same ankle back in August, an injury that forced him to the disabled list. Consider sitting the breakout right fielder during the season's final weekend if you have a serviceable replacement.
Cruz had provided minimal fantasy value over his previous 11 games, hitting just .139 (5-for-36) with one extra-base hit and 12 strikeouts. Yet on Sunday, the outfielder reminded owners why he's one of the biggest breakout candidates of '09.
Gentry replaced Nelson Cruz, who was given the day off. Cruz has just four hits in 28 at-bats and has one home run in his last 19 games. "He just needs a little break, like [Ian] Kinsler yesterday," manager Ron Washington said before Thursday's game. "It's nothing physical, he just needs a break." Gentry was a surprise September callup because he was not on the 40-man roster at the time. But the Rangers wanted him after he hit .303 with 100 runs scored, 21 doubles, seven triples, eight home runs and 53 RBIs at Frisco. He also led the Texas League in steals and was the first Frisco player in history to score 100 runs.
Cruz snapped out a brief 0-for-8 funk with the blast, which was his third in the last nine games. After entering the year with 22 homers over parts of three seasons with Texas, the big right fielder has made his mark, batting .271 with 18 steals and an excellent .554 slugging percentage. It’s safe to say he’ll be targeted in the early rounds of many drafts next year.
Cruz has been an RBI machine lately, driving in nine runners over his past five affairs. Six of those ribbies have come on the three roundtrippers he's laced during that time frame, so has been one of the hotter names in fantasy during the transition from August to September.
That's two dingers in as many days for Cruz, who ends August on a high note after stumbling to a 3-for-22 in his previous seven games.
That's three home runs in nine games for Cruz since he returned from the DL with a sprained left ankle. Even though he didn't play a full season in the Majors last year, his .356 batting average with six homers and 23 RBIs during last September -- his only full month in the bigs in '08 -- lends the possibility that he could be in store for big things again this September. It's a good idea to play him every day in any format.
It was thought that Nelson Cruz's return from the DL would bump Borbon to the bench, but both players suited up together in Texas' starting lineup Thursday, with Borbon hanging onto the leadoff spot in the order. And with the way the 23-year-old phenom is raking, can you blame Rangers manager Ron Washington from keeping him out there? The young burner is hitting .469 with eight steals and needs to be picked up immediately if he's still available in your league.
That's how you make a grand return. Cruz, who had missed the past two weeks with an ankle injury, looked to be perfectly healthy as he bopped his first dinger since Aug. 1. If you missed out on his Thursday night performance, make sure to get him back out there for Friday's tilt with the Rays.
On a day when Nelson Cruz's return muddied the waters of the Rangers crowded outfield, Byrd made a big statement with his second two-homer game of the year. There's still a chance he could wind up losing at-bats to the ever-present David Murphy or rookie sensation Julio Borbon, but Byrd usually finds a way to stick in the regular lineup and remain productive.
The returning star was back in the lineup for the Rangers Thursday, hitting sixth for their contest with the Twins. With Cruz back in the fold, manager Ron Washington has an interesting dilemma on his hands in how to handle his jam-packed outfield. David Murphy was the first to play odd-man out on Thursday as Marlon Byrd got the start in left field and rookie sensation Julio Borbon continued to hold down the leadoff spot, acting as the team's designated hitter. Cruz is hitting .269 with 25 homers and 58 RBIs on the year.
Borbon will be pinched for playing time once Nelson Cruz returns, but he has made it very hard for the Rangers to justify removing him from the lineup. He's 12-for-23 (.522) in August, and has eight steals and three RBIs in just six starts this month. The 23-year-old will see playing time -- and plenty of it -- in Texas at some point. If he continues to get it this year, he looks like a solid no-risk pickup in all formats.
Kinsler was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 2 with a strained left hamstring and has played the past two days for Double-A Frisco on an injury rehabilitation assignment. He went 0-for-7 in those games with a walk, hit by pitch, and run scored. Cruz suffered his ankle injury on the final play of the club's walk-off defeat to the Athletics on Aug. 3 and will be eligible to be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday. He is hitting .269 with 25 home runs and 58 RBIs this season.
Cruz declared himself 90 percent healthy on Wednesday and was close to playing on Thursday. The outfielder has been sidelined since Aug. 3 with a sprained left ankle. Kinsler, on the DL with a strained left hamstring, played in a Minor League rehab game Aug. 12 and should rejoin the big league club for their opener against Boston barring any setback.
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