The Twins started off the week with some good news when Nelson Cruz was activated off the injured list prior to their series against the Indians. Cruz’s impact off the field as a leader in the clubhouse is one of the things that make him important to this team, but toward the end of the week, he showed the impact that he can have on it.
Cruz returned to the Twins lineup with authority including hitting a homer in each of the past four games. The flurry was capped off on Sunday afternoon where the designated hitter went 3-for-6 with 3 RBI and (of course) a two-run home run in the first inning.
With no lingering effects of the wrist injury that put him on the injured list, Cruz looks like the hitter the Twins hoped they were getting when they signed him last winter. With a .279 average with 11 HR and 28 RBI, Cruz’s return will continue to have a ripple effect on the lineup which should keep the hits coming.