Seattle Mariners right fielder Nelson Cruz strained his quad Wednesday against the Houston Astros.
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Seth Smith Replaces Cruz
Wednesday, Sept. 2
Cruz left Wednesday's contest after he was thrown out at home trying to score on a potential sacrifice fly. Greg Johns of MLB.com reported the injury and linked to the video of the play.
Cruz has become one of the most feared sluggers in the major leagues while in the midst of his 11th season. He led the American League as a 33-year-old with 40 home runs in 2014 and is doing it again this year at age 35 (birthday was July 1) with 39 home runs. He also leads the Mariners with a .310 batting average and 82 RBI.
The four-time All-Star has been one of the lone bright spots on a struggling Mariners team that is well out of contention in the American League West. He has carried the offense throughout much of the disappointing season.
Seth Smith replaced Cruz in Wednesday's game. If he proves to be the long-term substitute if Cruz is out for significant time, he will have big shoes to fill. Smith does have some power (10 home runs on the season), but expect Seattle's offense to struggle until its best slugger returns.
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