Texas Rangers’ Nelson Cruz says he is ready for game six
Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz says that he is healthy and ready for his team’s game against the New York Yankees on Friday 22 October.
Cruz left game five of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees with problems in his left hamstring. The outfielder was forced out in the fifth inning of the game, which the Yankees went on to win 7-2, closing the gap on Texas in the series
to three games to two.
Cruz has struggled with hamstring problems all year and was placed on the disabled list twice for problems with tightness in the area. In addition, Cruz missed some time with tightness in his right hamstring. The Rangers have the starter listed as day-to-day,
but Cruz maintains he will be back for game six.
“I will be able to play Friday,” said the veteran. “They take extra precaution to make sure I am ready for Friday. The doctors saw me and they say I am fine.”
Cruz is not certain when the hamstring started acting up, but says it may have been when he made a hard throw to the plate in the game’s second inning. Cruz exited the game three innings later and was replaced by David Murphy.
The Rangers are likely being overly cautious because of Cruz’s history with hamstring problems and the fact that a night earlier Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira was forced out of the rest of the post-season after suffering a hamstring injury.
The Rangers will certainly be keen on keeping Cruz in the line-up, as the 30-year-old has had a strong post-season, batting .378 while hitting four home runs and registering six RBIs. This season Cruz proved to be reliable in the five spot, registering 22
home runs on the season.
Tags: