MLB home run leader Nelson Cruz leaves game after being hit by pitch

Nelson Cruz currently leads the major leagues with 20 home runs. So you can forgive the Baltimore Orioles if they’re a little nervous after watching Cruz leave Sunday’s game with the Astros after being hit on the hand by a Scott Feldman pitch.

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Cruz initially tried toughing it out after being checked out by Baltimore’s trainer, but after the inning he was lifted and replaced by Delmon Young, who entered the game in left field while David Lough shifted over to Cruz’s position of right field.

Cruz is hitting .315/.383/.675 with 20 homers and 52 RBI after signing a one-year, $8 million contract with Baltimore. Cruz was thinking about scoring a long-term deal in the offseason but found himself waiting around while others got the big money, and had to settle for the one-year contract.

Cruz not only leads the league in homers, he also leads in RBI and slugging percentage. Clearly the young man is motivated to get that big deal next offseason that he didn’t get last offseason.

Being hit on the hand won’t help his cause. We’ll wait and see what the medical details are on Cruz. The Orioles are holding their breaths hoping their MVP candidate will be all right.

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