Twins Promote Minor League Batting Champ Luis Arraez and Place Nelson Cruz on IL
By Parker White
On Friday, the Minnesota Twins announced that they've placed veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz on the 10-day injured list with a left wrist strain.
To fill that huge void on the Twins roster, they've called up infield prospect Luis Arraez, who won the Midwest League batting title back in 2016.
Welcome to the Show, @Arraez_21! #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Oa4AQ8RRgc
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) May 17, 2019
Arraez, 22, has been tearing up Double-A and Tripe-A pitching in the early-going this season, slashing .344/.413/.394 with seven extra-base hits and 14 RBI over 41 games between both leagues.
He lacks the power that Cruz possesses, but Arraez has proven that he can barrel up the baseball no matter the minor league level.
Twins Place Nelson Cruz On IL, Promote Luis Arraez https://t.co/ORdwbnMjRX pic.twitter.com/Cyq2c6cOJc
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 17, 2019
Cruz has bee a nice pickup for this team. In 35 games he's slashing .270/.354/.508 with 16 extra-base hits (seven home runs) and 22 RBI. Even at 38 years old, Cruz gives this Twins lineup a power presence they haven't had in recent years.
Cruz has missed the last several games to try and avoid and IL stint, but Minnesota has decided to give him extra time to rest and rehab his ailing wrist. The expectation is that he won't be out of action for a long period of time.