ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – Designated hitter Nelson Cruz left the Twins on Saturday to play two games for Class A Fort Myers as part of a minor league rehabilitation assignment.
If all goes well, Cruz could be activated from the injured list in time to face the Indians on Tuesday when the Twins visit Progressive Field for a three-game series.
Fort Myers played at the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Saturday, about an hour drive from St. Petersburg.
Cruz, batting .270 with seven homers and 22 RBI in 35 games, hasn't played since May 12 because of a strained left wrist. He could have returned to action sooner and managed the pain, but the Twins decided to wait until he was pain-free before activating him from the injured list.
Cruz hit on the field before Friday's game with no problems, leading to the decision to get him some at-bats before he's activated.
"Nellie, he's doing very well," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "I think anyone that had a chance to watch him hit [Friday] can tell that he's feeling really good."
Luis Arraez has hit .375 since being called up to replace Cruz on the roster, so the offense has chugged along without the veteran slugger. But Arraez could be the one sent down when either Cruz or catcher Mitch Garver is activated from the IL over the next few days. Garver played in three games for Class AA Pensacola.
Unfamiliar foes
Jake Odorizzi's turn in the rotation did not fall during the Twins visit to Tropicana Field last season, so his start on Sunday will be the first time he's pitched here since being traded to the Twins during spring training of 2018.