MINNEAPOLIS – The Twins withdrew from the lineup to Dominican Nelson Cross ahead of the first game of their series against the Red Sox for “a non-COVID-related illness,” the club announced Tuesday.
Without Cruz and Josh Donaldson (right corner) in the lineup, the well-known order to bat full of right-handed gunners was not in full swing against Venezuelan left-hander Martin Perez on Tuesday, especially considering Cruz began the day in the third place in the American League with a slugging of 926.
Cross started the series with a streak of seven consecutive games with at least one hit and leads the team with 10 rushing runs.
The Twins have suffered from several health problems so far this season, but fortunately none related to COVID-19. Byron Buxton missed a match due to a virus and the Venezuelan Luis Arráez came out of a match due to acidity.
The Dominican Miguel Sanar was moved to the post of designated batsman in the absence of Cruz.